The trip comes as Nato shows its military strength and resolves to see an end to the fighting. Warplanes from 13 Nato countries took off at dawn to fly over Kosovo's borders with Macedonia and Albania.

Russia has accused Nato of failing to consult over the air exercises.

The Russian defence minister, Igor Sergeyev, says the manoeuvres went ahead without his knowledge after a meeting in Brussels where the need for a political solution was strongly supported.

The BBC's Moscow correspondent, Rob Parsons, on Russia's response

Before the exercises began, Russia's Foreign Minister, Yevgeny Primakov, reiterated Russia's opposition to military action against Yugoslavia. Moscow does not want to see any further expansion of the role of Nato on the Balkan peninsula.

Serbia's deputy prime minister said on Yugoslav television that he believed Russia would extend its full support in the fight against what he called Albanian separatism and terrorism.

Yevgeny Primakov: Russia still opposes military action

In reality, Russia has endorsed a set of demands for major compromises by the Yugoslav leader, including the withdrawal of special police and security forces from Kosovo. These were drawn up by the six-nation Contact Group on Yugoslavia.

When he meets President Yeltsin on Tuesday, Mr Milosevic will be told that Russia expects full compliance with the demands.