The UK is in favour of cooperation with Russia, despite the difficulties in relations between the two countries. On Monday, March 6, said the Deputy Minister of defence of the United Kingdom Stephen Lovegrove in his speech in the center of the Atlantic Council in Washington, reports RIA Novosti.
“I think we want to cooperate with Russia. It is important that communication lines remain open, that we understand how to develop their doctrine, and it has changed significantly,” said Lovegrove. He stressed that London does not intend to cancel anti-Russian sanctions imposed in connection with the situation around the Crimea, which “cannot be ignored”.
The Deputy Minister also said that the Minister of foreign Affairs of great Britain, Boris Johnson is going to meet with Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov “soon enough”.
About the plans of Johnson to come to Moscow at the invitation of Lavrov in the foreign office announced on March 4. During the visit, the British foreign Secretary will discuss bilateral relations and the situation in Syria and Ukraine, where “between the sides remain significant differences”.
10 Jan Johnson, after meeting with U.S. President Donald trump urged to abandon the demonization of Russia and relations with Moscow to adhere to the strategy of “engagement and vigilance”.
Sanctions against Russia were imposed by the EU, USA and other Western countries in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea to Russia and the outbreak of hostilities in the South-East of Ukraine.
Crimea became part of Russia in March 2014 following a referendum. Ukraine does not recognize the election results and considers part of its occupied territory. In Moscow, noted that the accession of the region conform to the norms of international law. In addition, Kiev regularly accuses Russia of involvement in the conflict in the Donbass. Moscow denies the charges, citing a lack of evidence.