Russo-UK relations

-BY Dr. Abdul Ruff

India
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The relations between Briton and Russia- two former empires of illegal annexations and
occupations – have never been sound and USA always speaks to Russia for UK as well.
These relations are very unlikely to be improved by the visit of UK Foreign Secretary to the
Kremlin fort. Nowadays communist past plays a big role in the relations with western
countries that are very careful of investing money to Russia. Many English guys think it will
take a few generations for Russia to leave the soviet roots and take the road to the
democracy, and then relations could turn to a new side with the whole "West World".

Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said the UK and Russia would not "paper
over our differences" but these would not block co-operation between them.
He met his Russian counterpart on the first visit to the country in five years by a UK foreign
secretary. Miliband said greater cultural and business links between both countries
reflected increased "common ground". Relations reached a low after the murder in London
of Russian emigre Alexander Litvinenko in November 2006. But Miliband insisted the UK's
continued demand for the extradition of the main suspect in the killing would not block co-
operation on other issues. The foreign secretary said the talks had been "substantive and
productive" and marked by "mutual respect". Miliband said both wanted a "prompt
response" from Iran over international proposals about its nuclear programme.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had suggested Iranian authorities send
uranium abroad for further processing. He added that, although there were differences
between the two countries, there had been a "genuine search for common ground and
common action". Miliband told reporters: "The cultural and business links that are growing,
I think, are testimony to the importance of the UK-Russia relationship. That is reflected now
at governmental level - not just on issues of the economy and foreign policy, but also on
energy, climate change and other issues." He continued: "We don't paper over our
differences but we don't allow them to block co-operation".

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said he was grateful to Miliband for the "positive,
productive talks" but insisted it was impossible to fulfil British demands on the Litvinenko
case as the Russian constitution forbade extradition of its citizens. He added: "The demands
that we basically change our constitution are absolutely unrealistic." Miliband had met
Sergei Lavrov for dinner and informal talks ahead of the meeting. Discussions were
expected to cover Iran, the Middle East and Afghanistan. A senior diplomat has indicated
the main focus will be on issues where Russia's collaboration is needed internationally - over
Afghanistan, and over the question of Iran's nuclear programme. The aim, said the
diplomat, was to be clearer about Russia's position on Iran, and whether if current
negotiations with Tehran failed, Russia would be prepared to adopt a tougher position.
The last British foreign secretary to visit Russia was Jack Straw in 2004. But Prime Minister
Gordon Brown has spoken frequently with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev at
international summits.

Ahead of his arrival, Miliband said the UK still did not always "see eye to eye" with Russia
but acknowledged it was a world power and an important trading partner.
Writing on his blog, Miliband said: "We share the same global challenges and it is important
that we work on them together. "The wealth of people-to-people contacts and the dynamic
business links which have grown between Britain and Russia over the last 20 years make
political engagement all the more important." The Foreign Office said Miliband would meet
a range of politicians, business leaders and representatives of civil society before returning
home on Tuesday.

Relations between Britain and Russia took a turn for the worse after former Russian security
agent Litvinenko was poisoned. Moscow refused UK requests to extradite chief suspect
Andrei Lugovoi and several tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions took place as the row rumbled
on. The situation worsened further when Moscow ordered the closure of British Council
offices due to alleged tax irregularities. There have also been tensions over spying claims
and a struggle over BP's interests in Russia. Ahead of the meeting, a group of MPs urged Mr
Miliband to raise human rights issues with Lavrov.

A letter signed by MPs including Labour's Tom Watson, Tory Julie Kirkbride and Liberal
Democrat Julia Goldsworthy, highlighted concerns over the fraud trial of former oligarch
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, which his supporters have claimed was politically motivated.

A Word

Russo-UK relations have always been over-shadowed by US unilateral role.