Russia accepts invitation to Nato leaders' summit

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has accepted an invitation to a summit of Nato leaders in Portugal next month.

Medvedev said at a meeting with the leaders of France and Germany in Deauville today that he would attend the Lisbon summit.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “I’m very happy that the Russian president will take part in the Nato summit. I’m pleased there is a basic willingness to participate.”

Leaders of Nato countries, including US President Barack Obama, are expected to attend the summit.

Nato had invited Russia to join but as of last Friday Nato’s chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he had not had a response from the Kremlin.