LONDON (Sputnik) — Political contacts between Moscow and London are limited, unlike Russia's interaction with the United States, where the two countries maintain the general agenda, Russia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom Alexander Yakovenko said Wednesday.
"Political contacts between our countries are very limited, cooperation on tackling global foreign policy issues are episodic. With the United States, for example, we maintain a major common agenda, and both countries understand this, even though our views often differ. With London, we don't have this," Yakovenko told Russia's Kommersant newspaper.
According to the ambassador, economic and cultural ties between Russia and the United Kingdom are suffering. "Sooner or later this had to affect visa relations," he said.
"Actually, it should be noted that the official London speaks of "sanctions against the Russian elite," but, in reality, ordinary citizens suffer from the deterioration of relations. And those who go to Britain, do not feel animosity toward this country. Illogical, but true," Yakovenko stated.
The diplomat noted that ordinary Russian citizens with a valid UK visa have been capriciously denied entry into the country in the past, but such cases are becoming more frequent.
On Tuesday, Yakovenko said that the United Kingdom was exerting pressure on Russian diplomats working in Britain by erecting bureaucratic barriers to obtaining visas.
Relations between Russia and the EU member states, including the United Kingdom, soured amid the crisis in Ukraine. The United Kingdom, along with the United States and other Western nations, accused Moscow of escalating the conflict.
Britain is among the Western states that went on to impose several rounds of economic sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis.
Moscow is willing to resume contacts with London on a number of issues, Yakovenko stated, noting, however, that London must first show that it is ready.
In late July, Yakovenko claimed the British side was artificially creating difficulties for Russia’s diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom, in violation of its commitments under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Relations between Russia and Western states, including the United Kingdom, deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. London along with the United States and their allies accused Moscow of fueling the conflict. Russia has consistently denied the allegations.
The United Kingdom is among countries that imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis.
