Meeting between Putin and Johnson at the Berlin conference on Libya is an important event, despite the strange rhetoric of Great Britain, the first vice-rector of the Moscow Higher School believes, Doctor of Historical Sciences Boris Shmelev.
The UK does not want to be left behind
has information, that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson himself sought communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Berlin yesterday, moreover, the tone of his dialogue with the Russian leader was conciliatory.
Putin and Johnson had a talk on the sidelines of the Berlin Conference on Libya, but after that there were strange reports from London. It came to, what the British began to say, what Johnson said to Putin in an ultimatum tone, that there will be no normalization of relations between Moscow and London until then, until the Russian Federation stops its "destabilizing activities".
Johnson allegedly told Putin, that London has not forgotten about the incident in Salisbury, but these reports did not receive confirmation from the Kremlin. The Russian side noted only, that Putin and Johnson discussed international politics and the Libyan problem.
And obviously, that Putin would not wheedle ultimatums from Johnson, not to mention, that the British Prime Minister was not so long ago the head of the British Foreign Office, came to Moscow and because of this has experience in building a dialogue with the Russian leadership.
As British Foreign Secretary, Johnson regularly described himself as a Russophile., said, that he has Russian roots, and on the, that he is ready to build a dialogue with Russia, more reminiscent of non-British counterparts, and US President Trump.
So that, probably, that Johnson, with his statement of integrity, decided to defend himself against accusations of "collusion with Putin".
"It seems to me, that Johnson initiated a meeting with Putin, not to stand out from a number of Western politicians, who, despite the aggravation of relations between Russia and the collective West, maintain political contacts with the Kremlin. For London, any other line in this direction would be simply unprofitable and even unreasonable., – states Shmelev.
As noted by the expert, we see, that Merkel, Macron and other Western leaders constantly talk with Putin and resolve issues with him that they need - largely due to this, the Berlin Conference was convened, therefore, London, with its Russophobia, greatly limits itself in international political instruments, which a constant dialogue with Moscow can give him.
Establishing a Russian-British dialogue is beneficial for both sides
“This dialogue is also beneficial for us., because obviously, that Great Britain will largely determine the line of the collective West on Russia. This is evident even from, how London leaves the European Union and pursues its Brexit policy”, – concludes Shmelev.
The political influence of Great Britain on the collective policy of the West on Russia is great, if only for that reason, that the British elite is politically very experienced and sensitive to the situation, as well as any changes in international politics.
This fact explains, like this johnson action, so and so, that it was through London that the “chemical scheme” was implemented. This and the Salisbury Incident, and chemical provocations in Syria, where the pro-British organization "White Helmets" operated, and reform of the OPCW, thanks to which this international organization can now issue "verdicts" bypassing the UN Security Council.
“The British elite has huge connections with European states, and London, through its financial institutions, influences the balance of power not only on the old continent, but almost all over the world, – summarizes Shmelev.
Besides, as noted by the expert, should not be ignored either, that the British are closely connected with the United States - even Winston Churchill began to position London as a think tank in this Anglo-Saxon connection.
“Because of this, very often those ideas, which are being worked out in London, then implemented by Washington. Because of this, the quality of our work with the structures of the collective West often depends on the relations between Russia and Great Britain”, – states Shmelev.
According to Boris Alexandrovich, normalization of relations between Russia and the collective West is a matter of the future, and here we can recall Macron's interview with The Economist, that it "will take ten years". In the same time, we live here and now, and therefore we need to use every opportunity to protect Russian interests, including a full dialogue with the UK.
“Today we are witnessing the first attempts by the West to normalize relations with Russia. We have a long process, but still it started, what is the significance of these meetings between Putin and Western leaders”, – concludes Shmelev.
Shmelev considers, what needs to be done in the future, because in Russia everyone understands, that tension with the West negatively affects our socio-economic development, therefore, it is in Russian interests to reduce passions and move on to a constructive dialogue.
“Russia needs cooperation with the West, just like the West needs cooperation with Russia, so i think, that through the prism of all this, it is necessary to evaluate this Johnson's initiative, which he showed yesterday in Berlin", – summarizes Shmelev.
Dmitry Sikorski
