Connect with us

World

West’s anti-Russian motive behind declining diplomatic relations: Russia’s UK envoy


Anti-Russian motives from the US and UK are responsible for fading diplomatic relations between Moscow and the West, Russia’s ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin told Al Arabiya on Thursday.

“Some time ago, US and UK decided that Russia has become too strong and aggressive; the decision was taken to extend NATO as close as possible to our borders and to turn Ukraine anti-Russian…” Kelin claimed.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

“The UK is taking a leading role in providing weapons and money to Ukraine but with this type of help it is destroying Ukraine because Ukraine is now totally dependent on foreign assistance; it has no economy.”

According to the ambassador, “The Ukrainians cannot stop this war, because if it stops, they will receive no more money and no more weapons. So, they have to turn this wheel and continue to run.”

Klein also said that the British-Russian relationship was normal between 2000 and 2013.

According to the ambassador, 2013 is when relations took a turn for the worse.

This was in reference to the Maidan uprising in Ukraine in 2013 – a time of civil unrest caused by then President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision not to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, instead choosing closer ties with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union.

He also said the occupation of Crimea in 2014 played a role.

“It was the beginning of the war as you describe, we call it a special operation, but in fact the war has been going since 2014,” he stated.

Hacking, espionage

With regard to claims of Russian hackers interfering in the UK, Kelin said: “I am here for three years and I am reading every day about these blunt accusations with no proof. We simply try to disregard them. Initially we used to respond to them, but at the moment, I feel they are a political gesture.”

He continued, “We have no interest and no possibility to interfere in internal British affairs. It is also prohibited by law, the external interference.”

The ambassador maintains that the British government policy is anti-Russian.

“They are targeting lots of Russians who are living here. I hear complaints from Russian people; many have gone back to Russia because simply they can’t do business here.”

“Some 10 years ago, we had around 600 representations of Russian business companies. They have all gone now. They have been squeezed out by the policy of Great Britain and this is one of the disadvantages.”

“Britain is cutting itself the opportunity to develop external foreign relationship. While it is bad for us, it is also bad for Britain,” Kelin concluded.

The UK has had a close military relationship with Ukraine since 2014, around the time Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annexed Crimea. Since 2020, the UK has trained Ukrainian soldiers and is the third biggest donor of military and economic aid, after the US and Germany.

While UK-Russia relations are decidedly tense at the moment, Kelin maintains a hopeful outlook going forward.
“We are not going to take initiative, this is not our idea to demolish the architecture of the relationship, but I do believe we continue to be neighbors on the same continent,” he said.

“Russia will not disappear, Russia of course is going to prevail in this conflict… we do understand that Ukraine is backed by the West and this is why the conflict is so long.”

Read more:

How Ukraine war has shaped US planning for a China conflict

Western official: Putin’s future in power has become less certain

Wagner chief blames delay to capture Ukraine’s Bakhmut on ‘monstrous bureaucracy’

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

Continue Reading

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

Continue Reading

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

Continue Reading

Trending