London: Britain and the United States today joined other nations in welcoming the inauguration of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev as an opportunity to improve relations with Moscow.

In Washington, US President George W Bush "looks forward to working with him and wishes him the best on his new position," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino as Medvedev succeeded Vladimir Putin, who becomes prime minister.

"If we have good relations, as the president has had with President Putin, that allows you the ability to speak very frankly when we have concerns when it comes to democracy and human rights."

Bush was to telephone Medvedev soon, although perhaps not today, said Perino, who noted that the two leaders had their first face-to-face talks as Bush met with Putin at the Black Sea resort of Sochi in early April.

Britain meanwhile invited Medvedev to stamp his own mark in the Kremlin.

"We congratulate President Medvedev on his inauguration today," a Foreign Office spokesman said. "President Medvedev has an opportunity to embark on a fresh start in relations between Russia and the rest of the world.

"We hope he will take advantage of this and we will judge the new government on its actions and results."

Relations between Britain and Russia were severely strained under Putin, who rejected British requests to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, wanted on charges of poisoning former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London with a radioactive substance.

Source : PTI