ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) — Russia will have to develop separate bilateral relations with the United Kingdom if the British public decides to terminate its membership in the European Union, Russian ambassador to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said Thursday.
"I don't know who would profit from Britain leaving the European Union. Relations with the European Union in the 28+1 format would come to an end, turning into 27+1. We would have to develop bilateral relations with Britain in those sectors where it acted as an EU member. But let us wait for the results," Chizhov said.
UK nationals are set to vote on June 23 in the referendum on the country's EU membership, after Prime Minister David Cameron and the leaders of the 27 EU member states agreed in February to grant the United Kingdom a special status within the bloc.
According to recent polls, the number of those UK nationals who will vote for their country leaving the European Union exceeds the figures on supporters of further EU membership.
