Vladimir Putin thanks Britain with £1 million gift

He said Russia will make replacement masts for Royal Navy cruiser HMS Belfast.

The vessel – launched 70 years ago on Monday – guarded Arctic Convoys that supplied Russia with vital equipment in World War Two.

It has been on the Thames near London’s Tower Bridge since 1971 and is an Imperial War Museum exhibit.

The ship needs repairs and, in an amazing departure from recent frosty relations, Russia has come up trumps.

Putin’s spokesman said Russia was supporting the mast reconstruction project as a “birthday present” in appreciation of HMS Belfast’s service on the Arctic Convoys.

The £1million masts will be made by Russian steel firm MMK. An HMS Belfast spokesman said: “Mr Putin is putting a hand across the ocean to say thank you.”