Newsletters
Russia’s embassy in London confirmed Sunday that Ambassador Andrei Kelin is no longer in his post, while rejecting suggestions that Moscow intends to formally downgrade diplomatic relations with Britain.
The confirmation followed a Sunday Times report that Moscow had “withdrawn” Kelin as part of an effort to pressure Britain over its support for Ukraine.
Kelin, who served as Russia’s ambassador to the U.K. for more than seven years, left his post July 21, according to the Times.
The newspaper said Moscow had not nominated a replacement and embassy staff did not indicate when a successor might be appointed.
“Nothing in its comment provided to the newspaper implies that the Russian side intends to downgrade the level of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” the Russian Embassy said on Telegram.
It added that Russia-U.K. relations had deteriorated to an “unprecedentedly low level,” blaming London for the decline.
The Times noted that withdrawing an ambassador can be used by governments to signal serious displeasure without completely severing diplomatic relations.
Britain’s Foreign Office reportedly told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the appointment of a Russian ambassador was “a matter for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“We have an ambassador and embassy in Moscow to engage and raise concerns with the Russian government,” it said.
The Foreign Office said Britain would continue supporting Ukraine and its right to defend itself against what it called Russia’s “illegal and unprovoked invasion.”
Britain has committed about £25 billion ($33 billion) in support to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, including £16 billion in military assistance.
Russia on Monday warned Britain it would pay a “price” after reports that U.K.-made drones supplied to Ukraine had been used in strikes deep inside Russian territory.
The Russian Embassy accused Britain of becoming “an accomplice and co-perpetrator” of the attacks and of “deliberately opting for an escalation.”
“The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv’s terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay,” the embassy said.
Ukraine has stepped up long-range strikes inside Russia in recent months, while Moscow has intensified missile and drone attacks on Kyiv.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
