Jeremy Corbyn has refused to endorse calls for the UK to follow the United States and impose tougher sanctions on Russia, describing it as a "huge player on the world stage".

Speaking in New Lanark, Scotland, the Labour leader called for “serious dialogue” with Moscow.

It came after Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, used his first speech in the US to call for the European Union to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Washington over tougher sanctions on Russia.

Mr Corbyn said: "I think what we need is a serious dialogue with Russia, put the megaphones down, pick up the phone and make the arrangements to have serious meetings with Russia.

"Yes, there are huge human rights issues that have to be raised with Russia and Russia has to be challenged on them, but at the end of the day there has to be a relationship with Russia. We cannot just have a building up of tensions on both sides of the border."

Asked if tougher sanctions should be put in place, Mr Corbyn said: "You have to realise you've got to live with Russia, you've got to negotiate with Russia, you have to be critical of Russia where they are wrong, but you also have to have that relationship.