Blair congratulates Putin

Blair and Putin: Met earlier in March

Prime Minister Tony Blair has telephoned the Russian President Vladimir Putin to congratulate him on his election victory, stressing the need to strengthen relations - but the need to also end the war in Chechnya.

The prime minister's official spokesman, Alastair Campbell, said that Mr Blair had used the 15-minute conversation to build on a relationship formed during an official visit to Russia two weeks ago.

"He congratulated him on a clear victory," Mr Campbell said.

"Mr Putin said he had been given a big responsibility by the Russian people."

Mr Campbell said that the prime minister and the president had discussed building lasting economic and business links in a 15 minute conversation.

The leaders spoke of how they would work together in the run-up to the G8 heads of government meeting in Japan in July and Mr Putin stressed that he would be honest with Russian people about the problems facing his country.

Mr Putin won Russia's presidential election after taking more than 50% of the vote in the first round of voting, ensuring no need for a second run-off ballot.

Mr Blair became the first western leader to meet Mr Putin when he threw his weight behind his candidature when they met in St Petersburg earlier in March.

Following that meeting, Mr Blair described the then acting-president as a fellow moderniser with a "focused view of what he wants to achieve in Russia".

Tough line urged

Later, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Menzies Campbell urged the prime minister to adopt a critical stance towards Mr Putin.

He accused the government of being too keen to be close to the new Russian administration at the expense of concerns over human rights, economic reform and nuclear arms.

"Co-operation with Mr Putin must depend on a recognition by him of human rights, a determination to stamp out corruption and promote economic reform and a willingness to advance the cause of nuclear disarmament," he said.

"The relationship can only be properly constructive if it is sufficiently critical."