In a further sign of Russia’s determination to dominate energy resources from the Caspian Sea region, Dmitry Medvedev, the new president, embarks on Thursday for Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for talks expected to focus on natural gas supplies.

The three-day trip comes just weeks after Mr Medvedev chose Kazakhstan as the destination of his maiden voyage as president. It signals Russia’s desire to maintain influence over the energy-rich region at a time of growing competition among rival powers for resources.