Russian Ambassador Criticizes UK Labour, Equates It With Tories – "as bad as"
According to Russia’s ambassador Andrey Kelin, the shift in government in Britain has not impacted London’s stance towards Moscow. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The relationship between the new British government and Moscow remains at a “crisis” level, according to Andrey Kelin, the Russian ambassador to the UK.
Kelin has expressed that the new Labour government in the UK is not prepared for meaningful dialogue with Russia and is mirroring the previous Conservative government's stance. In a Thursday interview with RIA Novosti, he indicated that interactions between Russia and the UK are currently very limited.
“Against the backdrop of the crisis in bilateral relations provoked by the British government, our interaction with the UK authorities is mainly limited to contacts with the Foreign Office. This was the case under the Conservatives, and it continues under the Labour Party,” the envoy stated.
Kelin emphasized that these contacts are infrequent and primarily pertain to the operations of the diplomatic and consular missions of both nations regarding ongoing global issues.
He also noted that British politicians advocating for dialogue with Russia face significant backlash from the UK government. “We know the British who express sound ideas, but there are few of them here. And, in the context of the anti-Russian consensus that persists in the local establishment, it is difficult for them to convey and defend their point of view...”
According to Kelin, “Those who dare to speak from such positions are subjected to devastating criticism, denigrated in the media, and there have been attempts to compromise them.”
Following a historic parliamentary election in July, the British Labour Party emerged victorious over the Conservatives, marking a significant change in governance after 14 years. The Conservative Party experienced its worst election defeat during this election cycle.
In early June, Kelin had mentioned that he anticipated accusations of Moscow's involvement in election interference, adding that the shift in the UK government was unlikely to change London’s approach to Russia.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Kelin has expressed that the new Labour government in the UK is not prepared for meaningful dialogue with Russia and is mirroring the previous Conservative government's stance. In a Thursday interview with RIA Novosti, he indicated that interactions between Russia and the UK are currently very limited.
“Against the backdrop of the crisis in bilateral relations provoked by the British government, our interaction with the UK authorities is mainly limited to contacts with the Foreign Office. This was the case under the Conservatives, and it continues under the Labour Party,” the envoy stated.
Kelin emphasized that these contacts are infrequent and primarily pertain to the operations of the diplomatic and consular missions of both nations regarding ongoing global issues.
He also noted that British politicians advocating for dialogue with Russia face significant backlash from the UK government. “We know the British who express sound ideas, but there are few of them here. And, in the context of the anti-Russian consensus that persists in the local establishment, it is difficult for them to convey and defend their point of view...”
According to Kelin, “Those who dare to speak from such positions are subjected to devastating criticism, denigrated in the media, and there have been attempts to compromise them.”
Following a historic parliamentary election in July, the British Labour Party emerged victorious over the Conservatives, marking a significant change in governance after 14 years. The Conservative Party experienced its worst election defeat during this election cycle.
In early June, Kelin had mentioned that he anticipated accusations of Moscow's involvement in election interference, adding that the shift in the UK government was unlikely to change London’s approach to Russia.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
