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| | Moscow replied to London: 4 British diplomats shall be sent back from Russia and issue of visa to British officials will be ceased.
Overnight, Vladimir Putin came out with a statement, initiating most pressing issues, as on today, pertaining to internal and external Russian politics.
President expressed hope that, Russia and Great Britain can cope up with the present crisis in relationships, occurred due to the rejection of Russia to extradite Andrei Lugovoi , main accused in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. External affairs minister of Russia Mr. Sergei Lavrov, cannot understand how British investigators have come to a conclusion that, business could be the main accused in this murder.
Nevertheless, yesterday Russian side informed Great Britain that Russia is initiating similar measures – refusing the co-operation with United Kingdom in war against terrorism, stops issuing visa to British officials and deporting four British diplomats from Russia.
Same evening, Chief of Ministry of External Affairs, Great Britain Mr. David Miliband noted that such a decision of Russia is “Absolutely unjustified” and mentioned that Union of European countries and United state of America fully agree with them.
In fact, United States of America is annoyed with the deportation of British diplomats.
Representative of US Department of State, Mr. Tom Keisy advised Russian Government to, instead of making “political gestures”, better to comply with the request of British authorities about the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi. Even Condoleezza Rice is supporting the advice. State Secretary USA also urged Russian authorities to extradite the businessman to British justice and co-operate in investigation of this murder.
During the talks in Paris, Premier Minister of Great Britain Mr. Gordon Brown plans to persuade the President of France Mr. Nikol Sarkozy to support his appeal. At the same time, Russian external affairs minister Mr. Sergei Lavrov, during his meeting with German counterpart Mr. Frank-Walter steinmeier, is hoping to convince Germany about correct position of Russia. Till now, Government of GBR is reservedly commenting on the request of Great Britain.
Citizens are facing the consequences of Russia–Great Britain’s conflict. British embassy in Russia started frequently rejecting the visa applications of Russian tourists even though tour operators claim that the rejection of visa applications is not at all linked with the political situation. According to the opinion of tour operators, complications started in spring and even the embassy of Great Britain claim that, it does not discriminate even a single category of Russians. But somehow, Russians were suggested to study English in Ireland, Malta or in Canada.
President of Union of Industrialists and entrepreneurs of Russia, Mr. Alexander Shokhin is of opinion that significant portion of Russian companies can abandon London’s exchange shortly and the same shall reflect on the activities of state companies.
After all, visa restrictions are applicable to their representatives as in the case of visa issue to Russian officials. According to the opinion of Shokhin, Englishmen can rank the managers of state companies as state officials.
Now the conflict between England and Russia is raked up not only on ground but also in sky. Today, British and Norwegian fighters flied four times towards Russian strategic bombers, which carried out routine flying above neutral waters, informs Interfax. However, former commander-in-chief of Air Forces of Russian Federation, Army General Mr. Peter Deinekin urges not to make sensation of this event. He noted that flying of fighters of other countries towards Russian aircrafts is a usual phenomenon. |
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Relationships between Russia and Great Britain became worse
than during the cold war. The political split between the
two countries started when Britain demanded that former KGB operative Andrei Lugovoi
is extradited from Russia and is tried in England over the charges of
poisoning the former spy Alexander Litvinenko. Russia did not meet the
British demands which followed in extradition of several diplomats
from each side and declaration from Russia that it will no longer
allow any British officials to enter the country, nor will it send its
officials to England. Russia also officially ended the cooperation
with Britain in the fight with terrorism. Poisoned Alexander
Litvinenko was a former Russian spy who immigrated to Great Britain
and became an avid critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin and the
whole "Kremlin regime".
