The Kremlin, not renowned as one of the world's most media-savvy organisations, is signing up western public relations advisers for the first time to improve the presentation of Russia's presidency of the Group of Eight leading nations.

Russia's presidential administration has signed a multi-million dollar contract with Ketchum, a US-based PR firm, to advise on communications with western media during its G8 term, which started on January 1 and lasts for 12 months, as well as the St Petersburg summit in July.