Russia denies ambassador’s departure signals downgrade in UK ties

Russia on Sunday denied it plans to downgrade diplomatic relations with the UK following a report that its ambassador to London had left his post.

The Russian Embassy to UK said a report by The Times that Moscow is considering lowering the level of diplomatic ties was based on unnamed sources and did not reflect Russia's position.

"The embassy considers it necessary to clarify: nothing in its commentary provides grounds to assert that the Russian side intends to downgrade diplomatic relations between our countries," the embassy said. "Such conclusions are solely those of the author of this article and are based on the opinions of his unnamed sources."

The mission said that the deterioration of Russian-British relations to an "unprecedented low" was solely due to London's "initiative."

The Times reported on Saturday that Andrei Kelin, who had served as Russia's ambassador to the UK since 2019, left his post on July 21 and that Moscow had not yet appointed a replacement.

The report cited a Russian Embassy spokesman as saying that Kelin made "considerable efforts" to preserve contacts and communication channels with London. The spokesman said Kelin left hoping that more constructive and respectful dialogue could eventually resume if the UK reconsidered its policies toward Russia.

The report said Kelin's departure was announced internally at the embassy at a Russia Day event June 11, with no public announcement made.

"A replacement has not been appointed, raising concerns of a breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two countries," The Times said.

It remains unclear whether Kelin left his post or whether Moscow plans to keep the ambassadorial position vacant indefinitely, the report said.

Kaynak: AA_ING