Beatle's wife optimistic over Russia landmines policy

Heather Mills-McCartney believes she may have persuaded Russian President Vladimir Putin to reconsider his country’s policy on landmines, she said today.

The former model turned anti-landmines campaigner used husband Sir Paul McCartney’s trip to Moscow to lobby President Putin on behalf of her charity.

And she said she now felt “incredibly optimistic” that she had achieved a “tremendous breakthrough” during a 40-minute meeting with the Russian leader.

Sir Paul and Mrs Mills-McCartney met President Putin at the Kremlin on Saturday ahead of the former Beatle’s historic concert in Red Square.

Revealing details of their encounter, Mrs Mills-McCartney said: “I asked President Putin to take the lead as the world’s second largest manufacturer of landmines and to stop their production and use now, rather than wait for some of the world’s other superpowers to acquiesce.

“I pointed out the inhumane nature of these weapons and asked him if there wasn’t another way to satisfy the needs of his military.

“President Putin’s compassion was obvious and his statements firm. This makes me incredibly optimistic for our future.

“This could be a tremendous breakthrough for us in ridding the world of landmines.”

President Putin has pledged to set up meetings between Mrs Mills-McCartney and Russia’s defence minister to discuss the issue further, she said.

Mrs Mills-McCartney, who lost a leg in a road accident 10 years ago, is patron of the Adopt-A-Minefield charity, which is dedicated to clearing landmines and rehabilitating victims.