Moscow, July 20: Downplaying the ongoing diplomatic row, President Vladimir Putin exuded confidence that the relations between Russia and Britain would ''develop normally'' as both countries were interested in this.

''It is necessary to measure one's actions against common sense, respect the legitimate interests of partners and everything will be all right. I think we will overcome this mini-crisis,'' Putin told journalists yesterday after hosting a Finno-Ugric culture meeting jointly with the Finnish President Tarja Halonen and Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenz Gyurcsany, in the Russia's Mordovia republic.

He was referring to the announcement by Russia that it would expel four British diplomats in retaliation following the expulsion of four Russian diplomats from Britain because of Moscow's decision not to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, key suspect in the murder of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko, in London, last November.

''I think, Russian-British relations will be developed normally.

We are interested in developing relations both from the Russian and British sides,'' Putin added.

Ultra-nationalist leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky warned Britain yesterday that losing Russia as a counter-terrorism partner, due to the diplomatic row it has picked with Moscow, would compromise British security.

''Each year, terrorist attacks are committed or prevented in Britain, and by ending cooperation, officials in London are putting ordinary British citizens in danger,'' Zhirinovsky told RIA Novosti news agency.

''We have always striven for cooperation with Britain, and in response they have shown us their fist, and then expect us to cooperate with them,'' he said.


UNI