UK Johnson Says Russia-UK Ties Yet to Mend, Differences Should Be Discussed

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that the relations between Russia and the United Kingdom has not normalized yet, but it is necessary to discuss the differences between the two nations, Johnson's spokesperson said Monday.

LONDON (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Johnson held a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"The Foreign Secretary noted that relations have not returned to business as usual, but it is important to discuss areas of shared interest, including where we have differences," the spokesperson told RIA Novosti citing Johnson's words during the phone conversation.

He added that the two heads of foreign services agreed to take forward discussions in person during their upcoming meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York later in the month.

Moscow-London relations have been overshadowed by the Ukrainian crisis and Crimea's reunification with Russia since 2014. the United Kingdom was among the Western nations that imposed sanctions on for its alleged role in fueling the conflict in southeastern Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly refuted the accusations, and warned that the sanctions are counterproductive and undermine regional and global stability.