Russia’s Ambassador Leaves the UK After Seven Years as Kremlin Names No Successor | Ukraine news
The newly vacant post raises fresh questions about how far strained ties between Moscow and London may now deteriorate.
Andrei Kelin has stepped down as Russia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom after seven years in the post. His diplomatic mission ended amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Moscow and London over British military aid to Ukraine. The Kremlin has yet to name a candidate to replace him.
Who Is Heading the Russian Embassy in London?
Kelin left the United Kingdom last month. Russia’s list of senior diplomatic staff in the country now names only Vasily Tsyganov, who is serving as the embassy’s chargé d’affaires.
A spokesperson for the Russian diplomatic mission said that the Kremlin had ended Andrei Kelin’s assignment on July 21. At the same time, the embassy blamed the British side for the deterioration in bilateral relations.
As for the state of Russian-British relations in all areas, they have deteriorated to an unprecedented low solely at London’s initiative
– spokesperson for the Russian Embassy
The diplomatic mission also said that Kelin had sought to keep channels of communication with the United Kingdom open. It accused the British government of choosing a “path of confrontation” with Russia.
He left Britain in the hope that a more constructive and respectful dialogue could eventually be restored if the United Kingdom reconsiders its policy toward our country
– Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom
The Kremlin has yet to propose a candidate for the post of ambassador. The Russian Embassy later separately emphasized that its comments did not indicate any intention by Moscow to further downgrade diplomatic relations with London.
Tensions Over British Aid to Ukraine
Relations between Russia and the United Kingdom became more strained following reports that British attack drones had been supplied to Ukraine. The Russian Embassy warned London of possible “consequences.”
John Foreman, a former British defense attaché in Moscow and Kyiv, noted that there had previously been periods without an appointed ambassador. However, he said that the Russian Embassy’s harsh rhetoric and the overall state of bilateral relations raised questions about whether Moscow would appoint a successor to Kelin.
The United Kingdom’s Position
The UK Foreign Office said that appointing a new Russian ambassador was a matter for Moscow. Meanwhile, London continues to maintain its own embassy in the Russian capital.
We have an ambassador and an embassy in Moscow to engage with the Russian government and raise concerns with it
– spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office
The British side also confirmed that it would continue to support Ukraine’s right to defend itself against the Russian invasion. In particular, the Ukrainian Armed Forces used British-made Nyan jet-powered drones for six months to strike targets deep inside Russia. For now, the Russian Embassy in London is therefore operating without an ambassador, while the future level of diplomatic representation will depend on the Kremlin’s decision.