Russia and Britain: Frozen Diplomacy

[Babur]

it is lulz how officially British-Russian relations are so cold yet many of Russia's elite love to visit the country every year,and it is also funny how Russia declares it is unconsitutional to hand over Lugavoi yet they're willing to change the consitution to extend presidential terms .

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Russia and Britain
Frozen diplomacy

Nov 5th 2009 | MOSCOW
From The Economist print edition
More of an update than a reset


EVER since the new American administration popularised the phrase, it has been fashionable to talk of a “reset” with Russia. Few relationships have needed resetting more than the one between Russia and Britain. It has been all but frozen since Russia refused to hand over Andrei Lugovoi, an ex-KGB officer suspected of murdering his former colleague (and British citizen), Alexander Litvinenko, in London in 2006. Diplomats have been expelled, contacts between security services severed and visa restrictions imposed.
On November 1st David Miliband, Britain’s foreign secretary, flew to Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. It was more of an update than a reset. His host was courteous, which is progress. The two men signed joint statements on nuclear non-proliferation, Afghanistan and the Middle East. Yet none of the sticky bilateral issues was resolved—nor was any expected to be. Mr Miliband repeated Britain’s request to hand over Mr Lugovoi, only to hear, yet again, Moscow’s response that this would be against Russia’s constitution (which is sacred unless for lengthening presidential terms). For now, at least, Mr Lugovoi will carry on as an elected member of the Russian parliament.

Britain’s policy towards Russia stands out among other European countries, including France, Germany and Italy, which do not like to rattle the Kremlin and disrupt good business ties and gas supplies. Russia has mobilised politicians, academics and businessmen to lobby for it, with Gerhard Schröder, a former German chancellor who works for Gazprom, Russia’s gas monopoly, as a prime example. Britain has its fair share of Kremlin apologists, too.
Yet Britain does not depend on Russia for gas. And although it is one of the biggest investors in Russia, thanks to BP’s 50% stake in the TNK-BP oil company, the rough treatment the British firm received in its dispute with Russian shareholders left the aftertaste of a broken lip. In some areas, such as Russia’s war with Georgia, Britain has been especially vocal. This has infuriated the Kremlin. Whether Mr Lavrov actually exploded with the outburst, “who are you to ing lecture us?”, the phrase summarises the feelings in the Kremlin remarkably accurately.
But though it is an irritant, Britain is also a great magnet for Russia’s elite, who like to buy expensive properties in London and to send their children to smart private schools. What makes Britain attractive to them and to the 250,000 Russians who live there is exactly what makes it so awkward to deal with: its obsession with laws and freedoms.
Indeed, Britain has long been viewed in Russia as a haven. Ivan the Terrible, who proposed to Elizabeth I, contemplated it as a possible refuge; Russian political émigrés like Alexander Herzen chose it as their home. As soon as any Russian businessman senses the first whiff of the Kremlin’s wrath, he heads for Heathrow. London is full of Russian business “refugees”, as well as the children of the Russian political elite. Diplomatic rows seem to have little effect on this. Indeed, for many people the less contact there is between the Russian and British security services, the more attractive Britain becomes.


http://www.economist.com/world/europ...ry_id=14803283

[motiv-8]

I thought Britain's Foreign Minister just visited Russia? For the first time in years?

[Babur]

I thought Britain's Foreign Minister just visited Russia? For the first time in years?

yuh lol, but Milliband repeated Britain's demand for the extradition of Lugavoi

[Pavlik the Rus]

Also a big lulz that British business so loves Russian proffits (somekind of fall last years, but it is short terms i guess) that no one cares about Lugovoi.

[Babur]

Also a big lulz that British business so loves Russian proffits (somekind of fall last years, but it is short terms i guess) that no one cares about Lugovoi.

yes? and your point is?

how is it constitutional to extend the presidential term and yet not to hand him over?

[YuriVII]

DELETAGE

[ivan_the_terrible]

how is it constitutional to extend the presidential term and yet not to hand him over?

It is legal to ammend the constitution...

[YuriVII]

It is legal to ammend the constitution...

Yeah but even in this case it hasnt even been ammended yet. Some politicians in the duma made their views about the issue clear, but that is about it.

The law hasnt even put forawd in first reading of duma.

[Freddie]

Also a big lulz that British business so loves Russian proffits (somekind of fall last years, but it is short terms i guess) that no one cares about Lugovoi.

If no one cares about Lugovoi then why doesn't Russia hand him over? Don't you know Britain has more then fair then criminal justice system, hell we even allow terrorists to walk free from prison as soon as they get sick. Your government is simply trying to save face which is laughable as you need face in the first place in order to save it. And if you don't trust the British court why hold his case in in a neutral country?

[Babur]

If no one cares about Lugovoi then why doesn't Russia hand him over? Don't you know Britain has more then fair then criminal justice system, hell we even allow terrorists to walk free from prison as soon as they get sick. Your government is simply trying to save face which is laughable as you need face in the first place in order to save it. And if you don't trust the British court why hold his case in in a neutral country?

indeed, and the poisoning of Litvinenko was hardly a trivial matter.

[Dracula]

Not Britain -Russia again.

[Mythos]

it is lulz how officially British-Russian relations are so cold yet many of Russia's elite love to visit the country every year,and it is also funny how Russia declares it is unconsitutional to hand over Lugavoi yet they're willing to change the consitution to extend presidential terms .

Since when it is illegal to change your constitution through legal means? And why should Russia change its constitution to allow extradictions to placate England? The constitution of any state is not a rug to be changed on the whims of foreign policy.

[Heathen Hammer]

Britain constantly whines about Lugovoi, but they are yet to extradict Berezovsky.

[Azog 150]

^^Becuase there is a difference between assasinating someone and expressing political views....

[Heathen Hammer]

^^Becuase there is a difference between assasinating someone and expressing political views....

Since when financing terrorism and stealing millions from the state is expressing political views? In that case Lugovoi was expressing his political views as well.

[Syriana]

I would say "In before Anglo-Russian fight about whose government is more corrupt", but it seems I'm too late.

[removeduser_487563287433]

This is very basic. Russia has been ing about, and Britain has defended its corner. That's it. If Russia wants harmonious relations it can stop assassinating British citizens, harrassing British diplomats and attacking British business interests.

[Heathen Hammer]

This is very basic. Russia has been ing about, and Britain has defended its corner. That's it. If Russia wants harmonious relations it can stop assassinating British citizens, harrassing British diplomats and attacking British business interests.

What about Britain harboring Russian criminals?

[removeduser_487563287433]

What about Britain harboring Russian criminals?

Who? And why would it justify Russian murder, harrassment and economic attack?

[Heathen Hammer]

Who? And why would it justify Russian murder, harrassment and economic attack?

Berezovsky. And nothing in politics can be justified. Both Britain and Russia only serve their national interests, if they contradict, it will cause disputes between them. Britain is harboring a guy who financed terrorist organization in Russia and stole tons of money from there, and Russia is harboring a guy who killed British citizen. Both of them are not angels.