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- They came in English: London is again trying to disrupt the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine
They came in English: London is again trying to disrupt the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine
London is trying to block peaceful solutions in Ukraine and is playing the role of a "war party" in the Western camp, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin told Izvestia. The United Kingdom is seeking to convince the United States to resume suspended military assistance to Kiev and intelligence sharing with it. On March 6, the heads of the US and British defense ministries held bilateral consultations in Washington. Earlier, the Prime Minister of the kingdom called for the deployment of British troops to Ukraine. Russia considers it unacceptable to send military personnel from Western countries under any guise. Whether London can disrupt the peace process and the Russian-American dialogue is in the Izvestia article.
Britain is trying to sabotage the peace settlement
British initiatives to send troops to Ukraine are disguised as humanitarian missions, but their true purpose is to serve the interests of Kiev. This was stated to Izvestia by Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrey Kelin.
— The term "peacekeepers" used here periodically in this context is not just crafty, but fundamentally wrong. Everyone understands perfectly well that the idea of the presence of European countries in Ukraine has not even a hint of impartiality. They would act solely in the interests of Kiev. Wishing to make it difficult to reach peaceful solutions, the British are trying to introduce deliberately provocative elements — this time in the form of some kind of joint plan with Paris with a focus on ensuring the military presence of Westerners in Ukraine," said Andrei Kelin.
The peace plan of France and Great Britain, which have formed a "coalition of the willing," implies the establishment of a truce "in the air, at sea and around the energy infrastructure." Then they want to deploy European peacekeeping forces at strategic sites. On March 5, Emmanuel Macron allowed Western troops to be sent to Ukraine. On March 6, consultations were held between the heads of the British and US Defense Ministries, at which this issue was certainly raised.
According to Andrei Kelin, the appearance of the NATO military under any guise — be it the EU flag, the "coalition of the willing" or national symbols — remains unacceptable and is considered by Moscow as a direct threat to security. The Russian Federation sees in this "only an attempt by the initiators of the plan to heat up the conflict further, trying to prevent its settlement."
— It is obvious that there is a "war party" in the Western camp that wants the conflict in Ukraine to continue. The forces that make up it, including the British establishment, understand that it is difficult for them to do anything against the new US administration's determination to put an end to the fighting as soon as possible. However, they are trying in every possible way to put a spoke in the wheels of the efforts being undertaken," the Russian ambassador added.
At the same time, the British authorities strongly advertise military-industrial cooperation with Ukraine as a significant contribution to the "recovery" of their own economy, because they cannot show any other "successes" in the economic field, he added.
"Of course, the interests of the British military—industrial complex are also at the forefront," the diplomat continued.
Russia is a historical rival for London, Igor Kovalev, First Deputy Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, tells Izvestia. According to him, the saying "an Englishwoman shits", which appeared in the 19th century, is still relevant today. The British establishment, the Conservatives and the Labour Party, sees Moscow as an existential adversary. However, Kovalev doubts London's ability to influence Washington.
— The United States is a much more significant power. Pressure on Donald Trump is unlikely to be effective," he said.
US President Donald Trump speaks at a session of the US Security Council
London's current actions are reminiscent of the events of spring 2022. Then, after agreeing on the Istanbul agreements, Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally convinced Kiev to abandon dialogue with Moscow, promising support in achieving a "strategic defeat" of Russia. This was confirmed by the Ukrainian side. Now, despite the coming to power of the Labor Party, the British strategy has not changed: Prime Minister Keir Starmer, avoiding open calls for war, promotes the idea of continuing comprehensive assistance to Kiev.
Can London influence the Russian-American dialogue
However, there is now a split in the West regarding Ukraine and Russia. If we talk about Europe, then at least two countries — Hungary and Slovakia — are against arms supplies to Kiev. In addition, the Trump administration advocates an early end to the conflict. Two rounds of Russian-American talks — on February 18 in Riyadh and on February 27 in Istanbul — confirmed the progress. The parties agreed to restore diplomatic channels: on March 6, Vladimir Putin appointed a new ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, who received an agreman from the American side. This is a symbolic step, demonstrating that the dialogue, despite the difficulties, has begun. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the conflict a proxy war and has repeatedly said that Zelensky is sabotaging peace initiatives.
The car of the Russian delegation at the residence of the Consul General of the United States in Istanbul on the eve of the meeting of representatives of the Russian Federation and the United States.
But London and Paris are trying to reverse this dynamic. French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced on March 5 the convening of the chiefs of staff of countries ready to "guarantee peace," and Keir Starmer are preparing a joint visit to Washington with Zelensky. Their possible goal is to convince Trump to resume American aid and support the plan to send European troops to Ukraine. The problem is that many countries of the Old World, according to media reports, do not want to participate in this.
On March 4, the United States froze military aid supplies to Ukraine. In addition, Washington suspended the exchange of intelligence with her. A few hours later, Zelensky announced his readiness to sign a subsoil agreement with the United States and impose a ban on attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian leader, who had previously insisted on continuing the fighting, now suggests starting negotiations with a prisoner exchange. However, Trump has not yet reversed his decision. The White House noted that the suspension of aid to Kiev is necessary for its revision. By the way, on March 11, an American delegation with Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz and Steve Witkoff intends to travel to Riyadh to meet with their Ukrainian counterparts, including the head of the office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Ermak, according to American media. Witkoff said the meeting would discuss the basics of a deal to resolve the conflict and a six-month truce.
London's attempts to influence Washington face the pragmatism of the White House. The incident that happened on February 28, when the altercation between Trump and Zelensky disrupted the deal on Ukrainian mineral resources, showed that the American president does not intend to be led by his allies. According to the New York Times, Starmer and Macron spent five days trying to persuade Zelensky to resume dialogue, but eventually decided to give the parties time to "cool down", recognizing the futility of putting pressure on Trump. Do not forget about the serious dependence of the UK on the United States. So it is Washington that can influence the British position, rather than the other way around.
— The Americans can influence them at least because of the incommensurability of the American and British economies. Or let's remember that Britain is technically a nuclear power, but it does not have its own means of delivering these weapons. Thus, they cannot use it without the permission of the United States," Igor Kovalev explained.
London, of course, remains a key destabilizing player. His attempts to revive military aid to Kiev, promote the topic of "peacekeepers" and draw the United States into a confrontation with Russia pose serious risks. But the current situation is different from 2022: today, Trump, despite pressure, demonstrates a willingness to compromise. So London has little chance of disrupting the process. But, as Kelin noted, the "war party" is not giving up.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
