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Boris Johnson clashes with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow over attacks on Putin regime | Boris Johnson clashes with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow over attacks on Putin regime |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Boris Johnson has clashed publicly with his Russian counterpart in Moscow, who criticised the Foreign Secretary for his outspoken attacks on Vladimir Putin’s regime. | Boris Johnson has clashed publicly with his Russian counterpart in Moscow, who criticised the Foreign Secretary for his outspoken attacks on Vladimir Putin’s regime. |
Describing relations between the UK and Russia as “at a low point” Sergei Lavrov said their differences should be aired privately, not to the media. | |
“You prefer to talk about these reasons publicly, whereas we would prefer to talk about our mutual concerns not before a mic and at a tribune, but directly,” Mr Lavrov told Mr Johnson. | “You prefer to talk about these reasons publicly, whereas we would prefer to talk about our mutual concerns not before a mic and at a tribune, but directly,” Mr Lavrov told Mr Johnson. |
Later, Mr Lavrov said he did “trust” Mr Johnson, but he insisted: “Honestly I cannot remember any actions of Russia that would have been aggressive towards the UK. | Later, Mr Lavrov said he did “trust” Mr Johnson, but he insisted: “Honestly I cannot remember any actions of Russia that would have been aggressive towards the UK. |
“We hear some aggressive statements from London. Despite all that, we have never taken any aggressive measures to reciprocate.” | “We hear some aggressive statements from London. Despite all that, we have never taken any aggressive measures to reciprocate.” |
The unusual diplomatic spat came after the Foreign Secretary – before arriving in Moscow – criticised Russia over the war in the Ukraine, its alleged cyber attacks on the West, Syria and the annexation of Crimea. | The unusual diplomatic spat came after the Foreign Secretary – before arriving in Moscow – criticised Russia over the war in the Ukraine, its alleged cyber attacks on the West, Syria and the annexation of Crimea. |
He warned that Britain is “prepared and able” to launch retaliatory cyber attacks, if hackers continued to target Western power stations and communication networks, subvert elections and spread fake news. | He warned that Britain is “prepared and able” to launch retaliatory cyber attacks, if hackers continued to target Western power stations and communication networks, subvert elections and spread fake news. |
Mr Johnson – the first UK foreign secretary to visit Russia for five years – has accused Moscow of behaving in a “more hostile way” towards British interests than at any time since the Cold War. | Mr Johnson – the first UK foreign secretary to visit Russia for five years – has accused Moscow of behaving in a “more hostile way” towards British interests than at any time since the Cold War. |
The visit also comes just one day after it emerged an alleged Russian spy had met Theresa May in Downing Street in July. | |
Facing Mr Johnson across a conference table at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guest House in Moscow, Mr Lavrov said: “It is no secret that right now our relations are at a low point.” | Facing Mr Johnson across a conference table at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guest House in Moscow, Mr Lavrov said: “It is no secret that right now our relations are at a low point.” |
Mr Johnson told the Russian foreign minister: “As you rightly say, Sergei, things are not easy between us at the moment. | |
“Whatever the difficulties in our relationship – whether over Ukraine, over the western Balkans or what is going on in cyberspace – I agree with you that it’s important to talk about these things and to be frank about them and accept that they are obstructions in our relationship at the moment.” | “Whatever the difficulties in our relationship – whether over Ukraine, over the western Balkans or what is going on in cyberspace – I agree with you that it’s important to talk about these things and to be frank about them and accept that they are obstructions in our relationship at the moment.” |
However, the Foreign Secretary insisted the two countries should not be “defined by these problems”, insisting they had “substantial interests in common”. | However, the Foreign Secretary insisted the two countries should not be “defined by these problems”, insisting they had “substantial interests in common”. |
He pointed to “Iran and the need to continue with the Iranian nuclear deal, the imperative to stop North Korea acquiring a nuclear weapon and the need to progress the future for the people of Syria”. | He pointed to “Iran and the need to continue with the Iranian nuclear deal, the imperative to stop North Korea acquiring a nuclear weapon and the need to progress the future for the people of Syria”. |
Later, Mr Johnson added: “We cannot ignore those difficulties. We cannot pretend they do not exist.” | Later, Mr Johnson added: “We cannot ignore those difficulties. We cannot pretend they do not exist.” |
And, welcoming increased trade and cultural links between the UK and Russia, Mr Johnson said: “I’m delighted to say that there are increasing exports of British kettle crisps to Russia and 300 Bentleys have been sold this year in Russia – not, I believe necessarily to employees of the Foreign Ministry but nonetheless a sign of progress.” | |
Mr Johnson’s jibe at the possibility of imported luxury cars being snapped up by Russian state officials prompted a silent laugh from Mr Lavrov. | |
This week, Mr Johnson described Russia as “closed, nasty, militaristic and anti-democratic” and said it could not be “business as usual”. | This week, Mr Johnson described Russia as “closed, nasty, militaristic and anti-democratic” and said it could not be “business as usual”. |
But he is seeking improved co-operation on issues of global security, including preserving the Iranian nuclear deal and countering the threat to stability from North Korea. | But he is seeking improved co-operation on issues of global security, including preserving the Iranian nuclear deal and countering the threat to stability from North Korea. |