(VOVWORLD) - Tension between Russia and the UK has, over the past few days, made headlines. The UK has announced it will expel 23 Russian diplomats and freeze diplomatic relations with Russia following the poisoning of a former Russian double agent on British soil. The incident has pushed the two countries to their most serious diplomatic crisis in decades.
 Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal (Photo: Business Insider) |
The tension began with the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal. In 2004, Skripal was arrested by the Russian Federal Security Agency and jailed for 13 years for treason. 6 years later, the double agent was handed over to the UK in a spy exchange. On March 4, Mr. Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious on a bench outside in Salisbury. Both are still in critical condition.
A series of diplomatic sanction
In a statement released at the end of a National Security Council meeting on Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK will expel 23 Russian diplomats and suspend all high-level contacts between the two countries. It is the largest expulsion by the UK in 30 years.
Prime Minister May threatened to freezeRussian state assets where there is evidence they might be used to endanger the life or property of UK nationals or residents.
Prime Minister May said no ministers or members of the Royal Family will go to the World Cup finals in Russia this summer and warned British citizens to be cautious about going to Russia for the event.
The main reason behind Britain’s decisions is Russia’s refusal to respond to a request to explain how a nerve agent called Novichok, developed by Soviet scientists, came to be involved in the poisoning of Skripal.
The UK’s dramatic response to the Skripal incident has been rather surprising. Some think it may have a lot to do with PM May’s calculation of British internal affairs. Brexit negotiations with the EU have been complicated and have drawn sharp criticisms of Ms. May. Some think she may be using the Skripal incident to prove she is a strong politician who will resolutely defend Britain’s interests.
Russian officials described the UK’s decision as “short-sighted, unjustified, and unacceptable,” denied any Russian involvement in the poisoning, and requested a joint investigation. They said Russia will soon take retaliatory measures. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the UK of behaving in a "high-handed" and "misleading" manner. Russian state media accused the UK of exploiting the case to intervene in the Russian presidential election being held this week.
Future of Russia-UK relations
Relations between Russia and the UK have been strained for a long time, particularly since the death of Russian security service officer Aleksandr Litvinenko in London in 2006. In that case, the UK accused two Russian citizens but Russia refused to extradite them. More recently, the UK, as an EU member, imposed sanctions on Russia overits annexation of Crimea.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, however, trade between the two countries exceeded 12 billion USD last year, 23% more than the previous year. Because the UK will need strong trade ties following Brexit, it will need to be cautious in dealing with Russia. Other countries are now urging both sides to sit down and talk before taking any further actions.