UK Gov’t Secretly Boosting Ties with Russia
Local Editor
The British Government made discreet approaches to Moscow in an effort to improve frayed relations between the two countries, The Independent reported.
The move is said to follow US President Donald Trump's arrival at the White House and the anticipation that his administration will forge ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
London's decision to engage more with the Kremlin came in early March as UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson prepared to be the first British foreign secretary to visit Russia in five years, according to senior diplomats. The range of issues due to be under discussion include the ongoing crisis in Syria, Ukraine and Libya as terrorism.
In the event, Johnson's trip was cancelled because of the rescheduling of a NATO foreign ministers meeting which followed the decision by the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, to remain in America for the state visit of the Chinese President, Xi Jinping. But it is expected to go ahead in a few weeks' time.
Members of the new administration in Washington, including War Secretary Gen James Mattis and Tillerson, have taken a tough public stance on Russia. But the belief in diplomatic circles is that this was to be expected with the Trump election team facing investigations for links to the Kremlin, and that there will be a drive to build bridges in the future reflecting Trump's expressions of admiration for Putin.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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