By Steven Eke BBC Russian affairs analyst

Tony Blair spent six hours with Vladimir Putin in the Russian presidential residence at Novo-Ogarevo, just outside Moscow.

Russia feels ignored by the US and Britain

Despite being the end of April, the temperature barely rose above freezing, and it rained all day.

The weather set an appropriate backdrop for what turned out to be a fairly sombre occasion.

This was Mr Blair's first visit to Russia since the United States-led invasion of Iraq. And it was clear there was no meeting of minds.

Many articles in Russian newspapers suggested Mr Blair had come to Russia to ram home the point - the world has changed.

Namely, Saddam Hussein is not coming back. And there is no point trying to prevent the lifting of sanctions, no matter how much you would like United Nations weapons inspectors to return to Iraq.

Bush's 'servant'

Some Russian newspapers with a military orientation went even further.

Their line was basically: "London and Washington have again put Russia in what they perceive as its (lowly) place".

They have demonstrated that Russia's opinion does not matter. This is a widespread view amongst ordinary Russians.

There is, despite the arguments, a lingering respect for Britain in Russia; beyond that, fundamental differences remain.

Less critical opinion considers Tony Blair an unquestioning servant of George Bush.

But there are also many Russians who acknowledge the services the UK prime minister has done Russia - toning down criticism of alleged human rights abuses, working hard to bring Russia closer to Nato and the European Union.

Russian officials themselves acknowledge the contribution British expertise, know-how and money have made to their country's reforms over recent years.

There is, despite the arguments, a lingering respect for Britain in Russia. Beyond that, fundamental differences remain.

Counterbalance

President Putin made sure he reminded Mr Blair of them today, adopting a haughty and mocking tone we have not seen for a long time.

"We do not know whether perhaps Saddam is still hiding somewhere underground in a bunker sitting on cases containing weapons of mass destruction, and is preparing for blowing the whole thing up and bringing down with him the lives of hundreds of thousands of people," he said at a joint news conference.

President Putin feels his - and his country's - attachment to the UN is fully justified.

He retains his desire to create a multi-polar world in which new alliances would counterbalance the global dominance of the US.

Mr Putin is certain the idea finds more supporters in Europe and around the world, than it does enemies in the US and the UK.