Tony Hayward wants Russian meeting after latest gaffe
Tony Hayward was trying to put his latest PR gaffe behind him today, making plans to head to Russia for a meeting with president Dmitry Medvedev.
He will be hoping for a more friendly audience than he has endured with President Obama in America, who has repeatedly attacked the company for its handling of the crisis.
After a day's sailing at the weekend, a leisure outing which again saw Hayward attacked for insensitivity, the BP boss was plotting a trip to reassure Medvedev BP's future is not in doubt.
BP sources almost one in four of its barrels of oil from Russia, making its involvement in the country key for both parties. Medvedev seemed to express concern about BP last week.
Asked how the oil spill would affect Russia's view of BP as a partner, he said: "What I know is that BP will have to pay a lot of money this year.
"Whether the company can digest those expenditures, whether they will lead to the annihilation of the company or its break-up into pieces is a matter of expediency."
Hayward hopes he can reassure the Russians that BP is viable and that its Russian operations are not under threat.
BP declined to comment on the whereabouts of the chief executive today.
