Theresa May has told Vladimir Putin that there could be no "normalisation" of relations between Britain and Russia until Moscow halts "irresponsible" activity around the world. Speaking in a tense meeting at the G20 summit in Japan, the Prime Minister warned Mr Putin that Russia must adopt a "different path" if it wanted a "different relationship" with the UK. She also insisted that the two suspects in last year's chemical weapons attack in Salisbury are "brought to justice", after Russia refused to extradite the pair. The two leaders were speaking in their first formal meeting since nerve agent attack, for which Mrs May has said it was highly likely the Russian state was responsible. In a riposte to Mr Putin's earlier claim that liberal values are obsolete, Downing Street said that Mrs May told the Russian president that Britain would "continue to unequivocally defend liberal democracy" as well as "protect the human rights and equality of all groups, including LGBT people." A Downing Street spokesman said: "[The Prime Minister] told the President that there cannot be a normalisation of our bilateral relationship until Russia stops the irresponsible and destabilising activity that threatens the UK and its allies - including hostile interventions in other countries, disinformation and cyber attacks – which undermine Russia’s standing in the world." The talks came after Mr Putin used an interview with the Financial Times to claim that Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, had made a cardinal mistake by adopting a liberal policy towards immigration from the Middle East. The claim prompted a sharp response from Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, who said Mr Putin was attempting to "subvert our values from abroad." "Our democratic system based on rules, respect for individual rights & human dignity has created more happiness & wealth than any other way of life anywhere in the world," he said. Boris Johnson, his predecessor and Tory leadership rival, told the Evening Standard: “Vladimir Putin will be proved wrong by history - liberalism will continue to triumph." Mrs May helped coordinate the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats across the EU and from countries including Canada, Australia and Ukraine, after Britain concluded that the Skripals were poisoned with a nerve agent known as Novichok. The pair were subsequently discharged from hospital, but Dawn Sturgess, a 44-year-old mother of three died after also coming into contact with the chemical. In Mr Putin's recent comments he said: "The liberal idea presupposes that nothing needs to be done. The migrants can kill, plunder and rape with impunity because their rights as migrants must be protected. What rights are these? Every crime must have its punishment. "So, the liberal idea has become obsolete. It has come into conflict with the interests of the overwhelming majority of the population." Mr Putin said Russia was not homophobic, but that a Western willingness to embrace homosexuality and gender fluidity seemed excessive to him. "Traditional values are more stable and more important for millions of people than this liberal idea, which, in my opinion, is really ceasing to exist." Mr Putin also said he had the impression that liberal circles were set on using problems being experienced by the Catholic church to destroy the church. His comments drew short shrift from Donald Tusk, who said he "strongly disagreed" with the Russian president. European Council President Donald Tusk said he "strongly disagrees" with Vladimir Putin's claim that liberalism is obsolete Credit: Reuters The EU President joked to reporters that he had been able to read the entire interview due to jet-lag but quickly turned serious as he bashed Mr Putin’s comments. "I have to say that I strongly disagree with the main argument that liberalism is obsolete," Mr Tusk said. "Whoever claims that liberal democracy is obsolete also claims that freedoms are obsolete, that the rule of law is obsolete and that human rights are obsolete," added the EU president. These are "essential and vibrant values" for Europeans, said Mr Tusk. "What I find really obsolete are authoritarianism, personality cults, the rule of oligarchs, even if sometimes they may seem effective," said Mr Tusk. The feisty comments fitted the tone of this year’s G20 meeting in Osaka where leaders are expected to clash over trade, foreign policy and climate change. Mr Putin said he did not expect any breakthroughs at the summit Japan starting on Friday but hoped leaders would find a common understanding of what's needed to bolster economies and financial institutions. With the Russia leader and US President Donald Trump set to meet on the summit's sidelines, Mr Putin shed a little light on his relationship with the US leader. Trump vs Putin - who do countries trust more on the global stage? Mr Trump's apparent willingness to accept Mr Putin's denials of Russia interference in the 2016 US presidential election has put the dynamic between the two leaders under close scrutiny. "I do not accept many of his methods when it comes to addressing problems. But do you know what I think? I think that he is a talented person," Mr Putin said of Mr Trump. An example of his American counterpart's talent is the overtures Mr Trump made to thaw the chill between Moscow and Washington when Russia allegedly engaged in "mythical interference" that led to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, Mr Putin said. "What happened in reality? Mr. Trump looked into his opponents' attitude to him and saw changes in American society, and he took advantage of this," the Russian leader said. Mr Putin said he planned to push Mr Trump for an extension of the 2010 New START nuclear arms reduction treaty. U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland last year Credit: AP The United States gave notice this year of its intention to withdraw from a Cold War-era nuclear missile treaty with Russia that is regarded as a cornerstone of European nuclear security. The US alleges Russia has violated the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which is set to end in August under Washington's six-month notice unless Moscow destroys a new missile system. Since then, Russia has focused its arms-control efforts on New START. "I hope that I will be able to talk about it with Donald if we happen to meet in Osaka," Mr Putin said. "We said that we are ready to extend this treaty between the United States and Russia, but we have not seen any relevant initiative from our American partners." The Russian president previewed what he might argue to give the issue urgency and get some movement from the US. "They keep silent while the treaty expires in 2021," Mr Putin said. "If we do not begin talks now, it would be over because there would be no time even for formalities." Want the best of The Telegraph direct to your email and WhatsApp? Sign up to our free twice-daily Front Page newsletter and new audio briefings.