(VOVworld) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Theresa May met on Sunday and expressed their hope to repair bilateral relations through dialogue.

British Prime Minister Theresa May (left) met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sideline of G20 summit (Photo: PA)

At a meeting on the sideline of the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, Ms. Theresa May said that despite some differences as well as some complex and serious issues of common concern between the two countries, she called for a frank and open relationship and dialogue. Relations between Moscow and London have been strained in recent years due to their different stances over the Ukraine and Syria crises, especially considering Russia’s support for Syrian President Bashar al Assad and the death of Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London.