Russia matters, but the United Kingdom’s relations with Russia
are at their most strained since the end of the Cold War.
A succession of crises since the mid-2000s, including the murder
of British citizen Alexander Litvinenko, cyber-attacks and hybrid
warfare threats to NATO countries and, most recently, Russia’s
attempts to interfere in referendums and elections in some
European countries and the United States, have tested the
relationship. Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Syria present the
two most urgent challenges.
In a report published today, The United Kingdom’s
relations with Russia, the Foreign Affairs Committee
argues that it is shortsighted not to engage with Russia –
however uncomfortable such conversations might be.
The FCO appears not to know what it wants from its relations with
Russia. It should clarify its objectives and then conduct a
meaningful and regular political dialogue with the Russian
Government in a spirit of ‘frankness and honesty’ while
maintaining the UK’s core values.
Working towards Brexit, Government should clarify how the UK
would impose sanctions on Russia, which are currently agreed and
applied by EU Member States. The FCO should continue to work
closely with EU partners to maintain support for Ukraine and
should prioritise international unity on policy towards Russia in
talks with the new US Administration.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, MP, commented:
“Given Russia’s size and history, the relationship between
our two countries matters. But it is fraught. Refusal to engage
with Russia is not a viable, long-term policy option. The
Committee agrees with the Prime Minister’s advice to the US
Republican caucus: ‘Engage but beware.’
“This report sets out how the UK can engage and why we should
beware. The Kremlin has shown that it is prepared to be
disruptive in foreign affairs and reject international rules as
they are understood by the UK and other Western powers. Its
assertion that it has a sphere of influence in former Soviet
territory challenges the principle of national
self-determination. Ukraine is a prime example of this and
Russia’s disregard for the international rules-based
order.
“This could be explained by Russia and the West’s differing
interpretations of the post-Cold War period. In evidence, we
heard this interpretation was a deliberate, more recent, attempt
by Russian leadership to justify a more aggressive foreign
policy.
“Russia exploits opportunities where it perceives the West
has not lived up to its own ideals or standards. The UK must
continue to challenge Russia on actions that violate
international humanitarian law in Syria or elsewhere, not least
its illegal annexation of Crimea.
“The UK is not Russia’s enemy. In the long term, Russia’s
focus on its western borders may be misplaced. In reality, the
China-Russia relationship may be the critical international
relationship to watch in the next 50 years.
“The FCO’s Russia expertise has disintegrated since the end
of the Cold War. This must be reversed. The Committee recommends
increased FCO resources to enhance the UK’s analytical and
policymaking capacity, and the appointment of an FCO Minister
with more specific responsibility for Russia. We encourage the
FCO to develop a long-term, people-to-people strategy to build
bridges with the next generation of Russian political and
economic leaders.”
