Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, says the improved climate in relations with the US creates hope for progress on nuclear arms control and other key issues when Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev meet next week.

Sergei Lavrov says there can be no ‘violent solution’ to western concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Lavrov suggested that the US was moving away from the confrontational policies of the administration of George W. Bush.