UK to build international coalition against Russia
Former diplomat warns new, more combative strategy will be counter-productive
Britain will use a series of gatherings of world leaders this year – the G7, G20, Nato and EU summits – to try to build a global coalition opposing Russia after chemical attacks in Syria and the UK.
The Government plans to shift its strategy from conciliating Russia to direct opposition, says The Guardian, believing the groundwork has already been laid – but at least one high-ranking former diplomat says this will be a mistake.
A Whitehall official told the paper: “The Foreign Secretary regards Russia’s response to [the chemical attack in the Syrian town of] Douma and Salisbury as a turning point and thinks there is international support to do more.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The areas the UK are most likely to pursue are countering Russian disinformation and finding a mechanism to enforce accountability for the use of chemical weapons.”
A cross-party consensus is developing in parliament to respond to Russian corruption, aggression and mendacity as security and foreign policy threats – rather than prioritising trade and other economic matters.
Jeremy Corbyn has been less willing to point the finger at Russia, but last month The Daily Telegraph said he was being “openly disowned by his own MPs amid accusations that he has sided with President Assad and Vladimir Putin over military intervention in Syria”.
Ministers wanting to impose fresh sanctions would therefore find significant support on Labour benches. According to The Guardian, they would like other nations to join them in a “containment” strategy for Russia. This would involve cybersecurity, Nato’s military position, more sanctions and tackling Russian propaganda.
Out-and-out lies
As it tries to consolidate an international consensus, the UK will make the case that Russia is “a state uninterested in co-operating to reach a common understanding of the truth”.
Alicia Kearns of the Foreign Office said: “When we are dealing with most malign states or even terror groups, an element of truth is expected to increase the efficacy of their disinformation, but with Russia there is no commitment, or adherence, to the truth.”
The Guardian says British diplomats feel there is a need to accept that Russia is not playing by the rules – and to “call out” its falsehoods.
But some experts feel so combative an approach would be an error. Sir Anthony Brenton, the British ambassador to Russia between 2004 and 2008, said the best strategy was to pursue areas of common interest, such as nuclear disarmament, tackling terrorism and limiting cyberwarfare.
He said: “Elementary diplomacy goes a long way with the Russians and we need to get back to that.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Putin's sham election
Opinion Protest votes show Russian dissent still simmers
By Susan Caskie Published
-
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Speed Read Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
What can we expect from Vladimir Putin's fifth term?
Today's Big Question 'Conflict abroad and crackdown at home' to continue after Russian president secures new mandate
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's preordained win marred by protests
speed read Voters participated in a silent protest — endorsed by late opposition leader Alexei Navalny — against the president
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russians start to vote in election Putin will win
speed read Putin's opponents are mostly in prison, exiled or dead
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The state of Russian opposition after Navalny
The Explainer Potential challengers to Vladimir Putin have been jailed, exiled or barred from ballot
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A 'nuclear timebomb': tensions rise over Ukraine power plant
Under the Radar Greenpeace accuses Vladimir Putin of threatening an 'unprecedented escalation' of war
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Last updated