Russian ambassador says Brits tried to make him defect

RT.com
21 Feb 2025, 21:34 GMT+10

Media representatives have suggested that the envoy seek asylum in Britain, Andrey Kelin has claimed

Russia's envoy to the UK has claimed that members of the British media told him he should defect to the UK. The mainstream media and the establishment in London are stubbornly pursuing confrontation with Moscow despite the change in narrative by its key ally, the US, he added.

In an interview with Russia's Channel One on Friday, Ambassador Andrey Kelin said he maintains frequent contact with the British press, adding, "they suggested to me recently that I quit my post and apply for asylum in the UK."

The British government has been consistent in its policy of applying diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions against Russia, while providing financial and military aid to Kiev amid the conflict with Moscow.

During the G20 foreign ministers meeting in South Africa on Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Moscow has "learned nothing" over the Ukraine conflict, accusing it of pursuing "the logic of imperialism dressed up as a realpolitik."

Kelin described the comments as "offensive" and "rude."

In an article for The Telegraph on Monday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "Europe and the United States must continue to work closely together" in order to "to deter [Russian President Vladimir] Putin from further aggression in the future."

The administration of US President Donald Trump, however, has effectively made a U-turn with regard to Washington's previous policies towards Kiev. Trump recently blamed Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky for the escalation of the conflict. The US envoys to the G7 and the UN have reportedly advocated for softer language in official statements, proposing references to the "Ukraine conflict" rather than "Russia's war of aggression."

Kelin went on to explain why he believes London is unwilling to soften its stance, claiming it is heavily invested in the conflict with Russia and in what he described as "the Ukraine project," with overall spending, including sustained losses, amounting to around $100 billion.

"That's why their overall strategy remains unchanged, regardless of the situation on the ground," he said. "A change in stance would equal an admittance that they have pursued wrong policies for years. How would they explain that to the British people? The people who now live in austerity."