UK seeks support in Russia diplomatic row

The UK will seek support from its EU partners at a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday (23 July) following its decision to expel four Russian diplomats.

The point is on the agenda at Britain’s request and will involve updating ministers on the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. It follows a statement on the matter yesterday (18 July) from the Portuguese presidency of the EU.

While the UK will receive robust support from states which have had their own issues with Russia, such as Poland, Estonia and Lithuania, other states are expected to be more lukewarm.

"There are differences in the strength of support. There are some countries that have problems with Russia and are willing to go along with the UK position and others which in the larger framework feel that despite all the difficulties there is a need to keep up contacts [with Russia]," said one diplomat.

But another diplomat added: "I think it’s good that we share this inform-ation among each other."

Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister, Jean Asselborn, expressed some of these mixed feelings this week. "Of course we are in solidarity with another EU member state but one should have the right to question certain steps," he told Financial Times Deutschland.

Asselborn added that it would have been better to solve the dispute in a "silent, diplomatic way".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after a meeting with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week that the UK’s decisions had been taken after "careful consider-ations". But she added: "We hope that this phase will be overcome as quickly as possible and that one can continue along the lines of having a very good co-operation, which is after all what you want with Russia."

The Portuguese presidency statement expressed the EU’s "disappointment at Russia’s failure to co-operate constructively with the UK authorities".

It added: "The EU hopes for a satisfactory solution to this matter, which raises important questions of common interest to EU member states."

The UK is awaiting Moscow’s response to the expulsion of the diplomats, after Russia refused to extradite former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi, accused by Britain of murdering Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said its reaction would be "targeted and appropriate".

Another controversial point on the foreign ministers’ agenda is the alleged illegal CIA activity in Europe. The issue will be brought up by the Netherlands at the request of its national parliament, which raised "concerns" over the matter, according to a diplomat.

The UK will seek support from its EU partners at a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday (23 July) following its decision to expel four Russian diplomats.