Russia says its relations with UK 'at freezing point'

MOSCOW

The relations between Moscow and London are "at a freezing point," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

Speaking in an interview with Russkaya Mysl (Russian Thought) magazine, Lavrov said the British authorities have pursued "a tough anti-Russian course" in recent years, accompanied by a consistent increase in sanctions pressure.

This policy was preserved after Brexit, giving up the EU membership did not stimulate London to normalize ties with Russia, the minister added.

"Regardless of their membership in the EU, the British authorities consistently take absolutely unjustified attacks against us, using harsh anti-Russian rhetoric in the public space. As a result, bilateral interaction is largely terminated, trust is lost, and the degree of relations is at a freezing point," he said.

But Moscow is ready to resume bilateral economic mechanisms with London and remain open to developing cooperation with the UK, Lavrov noted.

Russia advises US to send signal to Iran

Asked about the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or Iran nuclear deal, Lavrov said the US has to send a signal to Iran, confirming the seriousness of its intentions to return to the agreement.

"The window of opportunity to save the Iran nuclear deal isn't closed yet, but much depends on the Biden administration," the diplomat said.

Lavrov said he expected that the situation around the JCPOA would be reversed for the better, and that Moscow is ready to contribute to the achievement of agreements.

As for the Russia-US relations, Moscow does not believe it will see any changes under the Biden administration, he said.

"We are always open to an honest, mutually respectful dialogue based on a balance of interests and aimed at finding compromises. Unfortunately, in recent years, the US has followed a different path, regardless of the domestic political situation and who is at the head of the White House," he said.

Russia shared with the US its vision on the future of arms control, but it is too early to speak about details, Lavrov added.

"Any negotiations can be fruitful only if the US is ready to really take into account Russian interests, ensuring movement 'in both directions' to achieve equal, mutually acceptable agreements," the minister said.

On Feb. 3, Russia and the US announced the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) for five years until Feb. 5, 2026.

Once part of a larger group of agreements on arms control between the US and the USSR, and later Russia, the New Start is the last pillar that prevents the two countries from relapsing to a new Cold War and unleashing a full-fledged arms race.