BRITISH-RUSSIAN RELATIONS

British-Russian relations is the bilateral relationship between the Russian Federation and the UK and their predecessor states. Spanning nearly 5 centuries, it has often shifted from a state of alliance to rivalry.

The history of British-Russian relations started in 1553 when the English merchant-adventurer Richard Chancellor accidentally arrived at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River while looking for a passage to China.

Upon his arrival in Moscow, Richard Chancellor was granted an audience with Ivan the IV (the Terrible). Chancellor’s journey started the development of British-Russian trade and diplomatic relations. In 1555, a “Muscovy Company” was set up in London. It was granted the right of duty-free trade with Russia and Russian merchants were granted the right of duty-free trade with Great Britain.

Several times throughout history diplomatic relations between Russia and Britain were suspended and re-established; the reason for this being numerous wars waged by both countries and regular changes of power.

In recent years there have been a lot of contradictions between our countries. Presently there is a diplomatic row on over extraditions and as of 2014, the Crimea joining Russia and allegations of involvement over the attack on MH17 (Malaysia Airlines Flight 17).

In 2003, Russia requested the extradition of tycoon Boris Berezovsky and Chechen separatist Akhmed Zakayev, but Britain refused, having given them both political asylum.

In 2006, Russia accused UK diplomats of espionage. Along with accusing British diplomats of spying in Moscow with the help of hi-tech electronic rock, Russia alleged that British secret service agents had been funding Russian non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

In 2006, former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in London by by radioactive metalloid, Polonium-210 and died 3 weeks later. Britain requested the extradition of Andrey Lugovoi from Russia to face charges over Litvinenko’s death, Russia refused. Britain then expelled 4 Russian diplomats, shortly followed by Russia expelling 4 British diplomats.

During the 2008 South Ossetia war between Russia and Georgia, the British Foreign Secretary David Maliband, visited Tbilisi and declared that the UK’s government «stood in solidarity with Georgia».

In 2010, MI5 warned that Russian spy operations in the UK are at Cold War levels.

In March 2014, Britain suspended all military cooperation with Russia, following the Russian takeover of Crimea from Ukraine.

Ahead of the NATO summit in Wales (September 2014) British PM David Cameron called on NATO to rethink its long-term relationship with Russia, following its «illegal annexation of Crimea and aggressive destabilization of Ukraine». He called for an action plan to allow NATO to respond to threats to any member of the alliance «including when we have little warning». The measures should include sustaining a «robust» defensive presence in eastern Europe, adopting a new schedule of military exercises, positioning equipment and supplies in key locations and boosting NATO’s Response Force.

British PM David Cameron called for a hard line approach against Russia if it is not mending its ways in patronizing the Ukraine rebels. He urged tough sanctions against Russia. The USA, Britain and the EU imposed deep sanctions on Russia targeting key areas of the Russian economy, including the defense industry.

The relations between Russia and Britain have been worsening steadily during the recent years.

Exercise 40.

Answer the following questions:

• When and how did Russian-British relations start?

• How can the Russian-British relations be characterized?

SUMMING UP

Discussion points:

• What relations were between the Soviet Union and Britain? What policy did British PM Margaret Thatcher pursue towards the USSR?

• What president of our country did Thatcher back and called «a reliable politician»? Why?

• How did rows over extraditions of the so-called «oligarchs» cool the relations between Britain and Russia? Why in your opinion did Russian oligarchs go into exile in the UK?

• Can we see any improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries nowadays?

• Comment on the statement: Churchill advocated for the building of a kind of United States of Europe (in 1946) but he said Britain had a different dream and task to fulfill, Britain was with Europe but was none of it.

Topical Questionson Module IV.

• What policy did Great Britain pursue when it was a colonial Empire?

• Who was the main rival of the British Empire? Why?

• How has the vector of British foreign policy changed since the 18^th century?

• What factors diminished the might of the world’s dominant colonial power in the middle of the 20^th century?

• What countries can be counted upon as Britain’s allies nowadays?

• The US and the UK have “special relations”. In what spheres do they work side by side? Give your grounds on this fundamental, unshakeable partnership.

• Why is it possible to say that the relationship between Britain and the European Union is complicated? What hindered Britain to accommodate itself to the European policies?

• What British PM was a great supporter of pan-Europeanism? What kind of Europe did he want to build?

• When did the UK join the EEC? Why did the UK join the EEC later than other European countries?

• Was Margaret Thatcher for or against closer integration with Europe? Why?

• How can you characterize current bilateral relations between Britain and Russia?

• Do you share the opinion that Britain is still wielding significant influence upon world affairs? How does it manage to do it?

Make up a presentation on the following points:

(Time-limit: not more than 15 minutes)

a. Special relations between Britain and America

b. The main current priorities of the UK foreign policy

c. Winston Churchill and his role in British history

d. The Commonwealth of Nations

e. Britain and Europe

A Role-play

You are the British PM and your partner is British Foreign Secretary. You are discussing a new approach to the British foreign policy, world challenges and global threats. Discuss and outline your vision for the current UK foreign policy.

Start with:

«The world has changed. Our approach to foreign policy must reflect the world as it is. …»

Topical Quiz

1) В 18, 19 и начале 20 века Великобритания была одной из самых сильных мировых держав.

2) Будучи морской державой, она опиралась на мощь своего флота.

3) Исторически Великобритания проводила политику изоляции и не брала на себя никаких долгосрочных обязательств по отношению к другим странам.

4) После окончания Второй Мировой войны слабеющая экономика и признание независимости большей части своих колоний привели к упадку империи и уменьшению ее роли на мировой арене.

5) Особые отношения возникли между Великобританией и США в начале 20 века. Несмотря на некоторые разногласия, их связывают прочные узы во всех сферах жизни.

6) В 1941 году Германия атаковала СССР, и Великобритания вступила в антигитлеровскую коалицию.

7) В 1973 году после нескольких лет сложных переговоров Великобритания вступила в Европейское экономическое сообщество.

8) Чтобы добиться членства в ЕЭС, Великобритании пришлось согласиться на довольно тяжелые условия.

9) Объединенное Королевство не вошло в зону действия евро.

10) В 1975 году Великобритания стала одной из стран-основателей G6 – «большой шестерки» (сегодня это G8), а в 1999 году также и G20 – союза самых экономически развитых государств мира.

11) Большая заслуга в укреплении Великобритании как одной из ведущих держав мира принадлежит М. Тэтчер.

12) Отношения Москвы и Лондона заметно ухудшились в 2006 году в связи с «делом Литвиненко», а также позиции Великобритании по действию России во время конфликта вокруг Южной Осетии.

13) Москва отказалась выдать предпринимателя А. Лугового, которого Британия подозревала в убийстве на своей территории бывшего сотрудника ФСБ А. Литвиненко.

14) Двусторонние отношения между Россией и Великобританией остаются напряженными.

15) Сотрудничество в области противодействия терроризму практически остановилось.

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