Russian ambassador says Brits tried to make him defect
In an interview with Russia's Channel One on Friday, Ambassador Andrey Kelin said he maintains frequent contact with the British press, adding, 'they suggested to me recently that I quit my post and apply for asylum in the UK.'
The British government has been consistent in its policy of applying diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions against Russia, while providing financial and military aid to Kiev amid the conflict with Moscow.
During the G20 foreign ministers meeting in South Africa on Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Moscow has 'learned nothing' over the Ukraine conflict, accusing it of pursuing 'the logic of imperialism dressed up as a realpolitik.'
Kelin described the comments as 'offensive' and 'rude.'
In an article for The Telegraph on Monday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, 'Europe and the United States must continue to work closely together' in order to 'to deter [Russian President Vladimir] Putin from further aggression in the future.'
The administration of US President Donald Trump, however, has effectively made a U-turn with regard to Washington's previous policies towards Kiev. Trump recently blamed Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky for the escalation of the conflict. The US envoys to the G7 and the UN have reportedly advocated for softer language in official statements, proposing references to the 'Ukraine conflict' rather than 'Russia's war of aggression.'
Kelin went on to explain why he believes London is unwilling to soften its stance, claiming it is heavily invested in the conflict with Russia and in what he described as 'the Ukraine project,' with overall spending, including sustained losses, amounting to around $100 billion.
'That's why their overall strategy remains unchanged, regardless of the situation on the ground,' he said. 'A change in stance would equal an admittance that they have pursued wrong policies for years. How would they explain that to the British people? The people who now live in austerity.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Russia Today
China will resist American sanctions on buying Russian oil
China remains committed to buying Russian oil despite the threat of US tariffs, Washington's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said. Speaking after two days of US-China trade talks in Stockholm on Tuesday, Bessent acknowledged that Beijing has stressed that it will defend its energy sovereignty, should lawmakers in Washington ratify new wide-reaching sanctions. On Monday, US President Donald Trump cut his 50-day deadline for a Ukraine peace deal to just 10–12 days, warning of sweeping sanctions if no agreement is reached, including 100% secondary tariffs on buyers of Russian exports. Russian officials have criticized Trump's threat, claiming that it undermines efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine. Bessent said proposed legislation currently before Congress that would authorize President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on buyers of sanctioned Russian oil could prompt US allies to adopt similar measures aimed at choking off Moscow's energy revenues. 'I think anyone who buys sanctioned Russian oil should be ready for this,' Bessent told reporters. Chinese officials, however, made it clear during talks that Beijing considers energy a matter of national sovereignty and will continue buying Russian oil based on internal policy priorities. 'The Chinese take their sovereignty very seriously. We don't want to impede on their sovereignty, so they'd like to pay a 100% tariff,' Bessent said. China remains the largest buyer of Russian oil, importing over 2 million barrels per day—nearly 20% of its total crude imports—followed by India and Turkey. Western sanctions imposed three years ago reshaped global energy flows and prompted Moscow to pivot eastward. Since 2022, both China and India have sharply increased their Russian oil purchases. In May, India became the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, with imports estimated at $4.9 billion, about 72% of which was crude, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Russia Today
China will resist US sanctions on buying Russian oil
China remains committed to buying Russian oil despite the threat of US tariffs, Washington's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said. Speaking after two days of US-China trade talks in Stockholm on Tuesday, Bessent acknowledged that Beijing has stressed that it would defend its energy sovereignty, should lawmakers in Washington ratify new wide-reaching sanctions. On Monday, US President Donald Trump cut his 50-day deadline for a Ukraine peace deal to just 10–12 days, warning of sweeping sanctions if no agreement is reached, including 100% secondary tariffs on buyers of Russian exports. Russian officials have criticized Trump's threat, claiming that it undermines efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine. Bessent said proposed legislation currently before Congress that would authorize President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on buyers of sanctioned Russian oil could prompt US allies to adopt similar measures aimed at choking off Moscow's energy revenues. 'I think anyone who buys sanctioned Russian oil should be ready for this,' Bessent told reporters. Chinese officials, however, made it clear during talks that Beijing considers energy a matter of national sovereignty and will continue buying Russian oil based on internal policy priorities. 'The Chinese take their sovereignty very seriously. We don't want to impede on their sovereignty, so they'd like to pay a 100% tariff,' Bessent said. China remains the largest buyer of Russian oil, importing over 2 million barrels per day—nearly 20% of its total crude imports—followed by India and Turkey. Western sanctions imposed three years ago reshaped global energy flows and prompted Moscow to pivot eastward. Since 2022, both China and India have sharply increased their Russian oil purchases. In May, India became the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, with imports estimated at $4.9 billion, about 72% of which was crude, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Russia Today
Western and Ukrainian officials held ‘secret meeting' on ousting Zelensky
US and UK officials have secretly met with key Ukrainian powerbrokers to discuss ousting Vladimir Zelensky and replacing him with former military chief Valery Zaluzhny, according to Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). In a statement on Tuesday, the SVR claimed Western officials had gathered at an undisclosed Alpine resort with top Zelensky aide Andrey Yermak, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov, and Zaluzhny, who is currently Kiev's ambassador to the UK. According to the agency, all sides agreed 'it is high time' for Zelensky to be replaced and called the change 'a key condition for resetting Kiev's relations with the West and continuing Western military aid.' The SVR reported that US and UK officials told their Ukrainian counterparts they want Zaluzhny to become president. The agency claimed that Yermak and Budanov 'saluted' the plan and secured promises that they would keep their current posts if Zaluzhny took over. Zaluzhny, who served as commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces between 2021 and 2024, has enjoyed high approval ratings, with speculation that he would likely beat Zelensky in a potential presidential election. The SVR also claimed the covert meeting revealed why Zelensky had initially backed a bill that would have stripped two Ukrainian anti-corruption bodies of their independence. The crackdown sparked protests at home and criticism from the West, prompting Zelensky to roll back the reform. According to the SVR, Yermak 'set up' Zelensky by advising him to push the controversial law, knowing this would undermine his image abroad and provide justification for Western partners to seek his removal. The SVR went on to address ordinary Ukrainians, saying: 'A new president of your country has been chosen at an Alpine resort. Is this the triumph of Ukrainian democracy and independence you dreamed of?' Zelensky's presidential term expired last May, but he has refused to hold a new election, citing martial law. Russia has proclaimed him 'illegitimate,' insisting that the true power now lies with the Ukrainian parliament.
