President Vladimir Putin has warned that relations between Russia and the West will not be any simpler under his successor Dmitry Medvedev.
"I do not think our partners will have it easier with Medvedev," Mr Putin was quoted as saying. The outgoing Russian president made the comments after talks in Moscow with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Mr Medvedev, who was elected in a landslide victory earlier this month, will take over as president in May. Mr Putin was sharply critical of both Nato and Kosovo as he addressed reporters after his meeting with Mrs Merkel.
BBC NEWS | Europe | 'No Russian thaw under Medvedev'
"You get the impression that attempts are being made to set up an organisation that would substitute for the UN" Vladimir Putin speaking about Nato