Putin tells UK to negotiate Falklands sovereignty

Russian president Vladimir Putin has urged Britain to "negotiate" the sovereignty of the Falklands Islands with Argentina, accusing the UK of a "double standard in foreign relations."

Speaking at an official dinner during a visit to Buenos Aires, Putin said: "Russia supports the need to find a solution in the dispute for the [Falkland] Islands at the negotiation table directly between Great Britain and Argentina.

"I wanted to bring attention to the words of Mrs President [Fernandez] regarding the double standard in foreign relations."

Argentina president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has previously accused Britain of hypocrisy in criticising Crimea's pro-Russian referendum vote yet supporting a pro-British vote in the Falklands.

She said: "I appreciate, of course, the support for our national cause [sovereignty of the Falkland Islands] which is not a uniquely Argentine cause."