As we watch once tensions rise once again between Russia and its Western partners over the ongoing tensions in Eastern Ukraine, we see the potential for people to people ties, culture and trade ties to be negatively impacted, possibly irrevocably.
The WRF has long and consistently believed that whilst geopolitical differences are a norm in international relations, it is the strength of people to people ties that not only helps to ease wider political tensions but mark the true strength of international ties.
Since the crisis in Ukraine began in late 2013, we have consistently called for the maintenance of societal and cultural ties & were dismayed to see the recent move to close the offices of Rossotrudnichestvo in Kiev.
We fully acknowledge the wider political differences but without the maintenance of cultural, trade and other societal ties, the resumption of ties in the future will be that much harder.
In short we condemn the closure of the Kiev Rossotrudnichestvo offices as well as any attempts, by any party to limit ties between our peoples – many of which will not buy into the well known media-political narratives. The closure of cultural centres is not only damaging but we believe short sighted.
For our part we will do all we can to continue to support interested parties in the UK, Europe, Russia and further afield that believe like we do, that we have more in common than divides us.
The Board of the Westminster Russia Forum
