Moscow does not consider the UK hostile power. Such a statement was made by the Russian Ambassador to London Andrei Kelin in an interview with the LBC British Radio Station, reports TASS.
He recalled that Russia and the United Kingdom have a very long history of relationships, about 450 years of diplomatic relations. “There were different periods: sometimes we were friends with each other, (…) But for some time we were allies, during the Second World War,” the diplomat noted.
In the Soviet time, the countries were enemies because of different ideologies, but currently there is no such difference, therefore Moscow does not understand the causes of the hostile attitude of London. “The Government of Great Britain stopped most of our relationships, only economic relations and relations in the field of culture were preserved. But in the political sphere, the relationship is almost dead,” the ambassador stated.
Earlier, Kelin said that Russia is considering the new strategy of the defense and foreign policy of Great Britain as the tightening of the London course in relation to the Russian side. He promised a mirror answer.
March 16, the United Kingdom recognized Russia by one of the main and acute threats. The review of security issues, defense and foreign policy of the United Kingdom states that London will defend “from any threats emanating from the Russian side.” In addition, the country plans to significantly more often direct its armed forces abroad, as well as increase the defense budget.