Russia hopes new British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson can improve
dismal relations between Moscow and London, the Russian Foreign
Ministry said on Thursday, while the Kremlin said it thought his role
would force him to moderate his rhetoric.
dismal relations between Moscow and London, the Russian Foreign
Ministry said on Thursday, while the Kremlin said it thought his role
would force him to moderate his rhetoric.
Relations between the two countries are at their lowest point since the
Cold War after a British inquiry concluded it was probable senior Kremlin
officials had ordered the 2006 killing of Kremlin foe Alexander Litvinenko in London.
Cold War after a British inquiry concluded it was probable senior Kremlin
officials had ordered the 2006 killing of Kremlin foe Alexander Litvinenko in London.
Britain has been one of the most vocal supporters of punitive European
Union sanctions imposed on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis and
of NATO beefing up its military presence in the Baltic States and Poland to
deter Russia.
Union sanctions imposed on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis and
of NATO beefing up its military presence in the Baltic States and Poland to
deter Russia.
Johnson, whose outspoken comments have sometimes caused offense,
has harshly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past, calling
him a "ruthless and manipulative tyrant." He has also disparagingly
likened him to a character in the Harry Potter films - Dobby the House Elf.
has harshly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past, calling
him a "ruthless and manipulative tyrant." He has also disparagingly
likened him to a character in the Harry Potter films - Dobby the House Elf.
But he has also called on the West to put aside its distaste for Putin and
to cut a deal with him to destroy Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, something
the Kremlin itself is keen to see happen.
to cut a deal with him to destroy Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, something
the Kremlin itself is keen to see happen.
"Certainly, we have long been waiting to turn over what is not the best page
in the book of Russian-British relations," Russian Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing.
in the book of Russian-British relations," Russian Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing.
"Therefore, if under the new head of the Foreign Office the British side has
the appropriate desire and intention in this regard, we will certainly support this."
the appropriate desire and intention in this regard, we will certainly support this."
She said Russia would not however miss Philip Hammond, Johnson's
predecessor as foreign secretary, who often robustly criticized Russian
foreign policy.
predecessor as foreign secretary, who often robustly criticized Russian
foreign policy.
Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, sounded a conciliatory note about Johnson too.
"Every new start gives a certain hope," Peskov told a conference call with reporters.
"In his previous role, he (Johnson) had no impact whatsoever on shaping
Britain's foreign policy. (But) the burden of his current job will most likely force
him to adopt a somewhat different rhetoric of a more diplomatic character."
Britain's foreign policy. (But) the burden of his current job will most likely force
him to adopt a somewhat different rhetoric of a more diplomatic character."
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