UK Seeks Cooperation With Russia, Not Isolation - British Official

Director of UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Department of Eastern Europe and Central Asia said that Britain should not isolate Russia amid the crisis in eastern Ukraine, as Moscow’s participation in international issues is vital.

LONDON (Sputnik) – Britain should not isolate Russia amid the crisis in eastern Ukraine, as Moscow’s participation in international issues is vital, the director of UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Department of Eastern Europe and Central Asia said Tuesday.

"I don’t think we should be looking to isolate Russia. There are areas of shared interest with Russia, there are areas where it makes sense to engage with Russia…," Michael Tatham stated, speaking at the UK House of Commons, where the Henry Jackson Society think tank held a session on UK politics toward Russia.

According to Tatham, Moscow must be involved in negotiations on important international topics, such as the Iranian nuclear energy program, countering terrorism and ending the Syrian civil war.

Tatham stressed that anti-Russia sanctions should be maintained in order to convince Moscow to change its stance regarding the Ukrainian conflict.

Western governments have repeatedly blamed Moscow for its alleged involvement in Ukrainian internal affairs, and implemented several rounds of punitive sanctions against Russia.

Russian authorities have denied the allegations, and have consistently attempted to facilitate a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine.