Russia’s foreign ministry has not ruled out cutting diplomatic ties with Britain, saying London was “significantly involved” in the conflict in Ukraine.
“We are aware of London’s efforts to provide military support to Ukraine,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a May 26 statement. “Cutting ties with Britain is a very extreme measure, but it cannot be ruled out given London’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict.”
The claim was made by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the US Wall Street Journal reported last week that British special forces were operating very close to the front lines in Ukraine and had great influence on sabotage activities inside the territory. directly involved in the war.
“British support includes the supply of domestically and internationally manufactured gas assets to Ukraine, training of Ukrainian troops in the UK and Europe, intelligence sharing, advisory support and potentially participation in the operational plan of the Ukrainian army,” the statement said. of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Ministry said.
The headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia in Moscow. Photo: TASS
The ministry also highlighted that Russia does not rule out the possibility of Great Britain participating in the planning, organization and support of attacks carried out by Ukraine on Russian territory, including providing intelligence.
Russia recalled British Ambassador to Moscow Deborah Bronnert last year after a drone attack on Russian ships in the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Russia said it “resolutely opposes the British military specialist’s active participation in training and supporting Ukrainian special forces units, including carrying out sabotage activities at sea”.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow has the right to respond to such British behavior at the time and place of its choosing, and states that “all responsibility for the consequences of London’s sabotage activities rests entirely with the masterminds and perpetrators of such reckless actions”. “.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Britain has been Kiev’s second-largest provider of military aid, after the United States. So far Britain has pledged $5.6 billion in military assistance. Britain and its allies are also putting together a training program, aiming to train 30,000 Ukrainian servicemen by the end of 2023.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on May 15 that London has committed to training Ukrainian pilots to operate NATO fighter jets soon, but it is not clear what type of aircraft will be used. However, the British government has confirmed that there are no plans to supply fighter jets to Ukraine.
Huyen Le (according to RT, AFP)
