As with any new Prime Minister; the Westminster Russia Forum welcomes the appointment of Boris Johnson as the United Kingdom’s latest Prime Minister and wish him well in tackling the challenges currently facing the UK both at home and abroad.
With the country facing a looming Brexit deadline as well as a host of other political challenges, one such matter in the in-tray that requires the attention of the new PM is the repairing of relations between the United Kingdom and Russian Federation.
A new government means a new opportunity and possibly a clean slate – we have much to overcome but the foundations between our two nations are there to improve ties. From research and development to education, trade, culture, veterans recognition, sports and business there is much that we have to build upon.
Withstanding well-documented differences we are confident that as our bilateral business and societal-cultural ties continue to improve, so to will more formal ties given the fullness of time.
As the only group of its kind in the UK, the WRF is well placed to not only support and promote bilateral ties but also to act as a conduit of better relations – as we have done for the past five years. Whilst the WRF welcomes the opportunity that a new Prime Minister brings in the improvement of ties, it is worth noting that both the UK and Russia have a unique role to play in global affairs.
Britain with its truly global historic footprint and Russia with its diplomatic influence in the FSU, Asia-Pacific region and Middle East presents a number of areas of cooperation to collaborate in foreign affairs. Russia with its historic ties to Iran, for example, has unique leverage – Britain with its link to the Commonwealth, USA and Europe also provides trading opportunities for both the UK and Russia to capitalise.
The WRF wishes Mr Johnson and his soon to be Government well and whilst we will continue to act as a conduit for better ties, stand ready to support better trade, cultural and social ties between London and Moscow.
