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In its report on the United Kingdom's relations with Russia, the Foreign Affairs Committee argues that it is shortsighted not to engage with Russia – however uncomfortable such conversations might be.  

• Read the report summary
• Read the report conclusions and recommendations
• Read the full Report: The United Kingdom’s relations with Russia 

Strained relations

Russia matters, but the United Kingdom’s relations with Russia are at their most strained since the end of the Cold War.

A succession of crises since the mid-2000s, including the murder of British citizen Alexander Litvinenko, cyber-attacks and hybrid warfare threats to NATO countries and, most recently, Russia’s attempts to interfere in referendums and elections in some European countries and the United States, have tested the relationship. Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Syria present the two most urgent challenges.

FCO's relations with Russia

The FCO appears not to know what it wants from its relations with Russia. It should clarify its objectives and then conduct a meaningful and regular political dialogue with the Russian Government in a spirit of ‘frankness and honesty’ while maintaining the UK’s core values.

Working towards Brexit, Government should clarify how the UK would impose sanctions on Russia, which are currently agreed and applied by EU Member States. The FCO should continue to work closely with EU partners to maintain support for Ukraine and should prioritise international unity on policy towards Russia in talks with the new US Administration.

'Engage but beware'

Chair of the Committee, Crispin Blunt MP, commented:

"Given Russia’s size and history, the relationship between our two countries matters. But it is fraught. Refusal to engage with Russia is not a viable, long-term policy option. The Committee agrees with the Prime Minister’s advice to the US Republican caucus: ‘Engage but beware.’

This report sets out how the UK can engage and why we should beware. The Kremlin has shown that it is prepared to be disruptive in foreign affairs and reject international rules as they are understood by the UK and other Western powers. Its assertion that it has a sphere of influence in former Soviet territory challenges the principle of national self-determination. Ukraine is a prime example of this and Russia’s disregard for the international rules-based order.

This could be explained by Russia and the West’s differing interpretations of the post-Cold War period. In evidence, we heard this interpretation was a deliberate, more recent, attempt by Russian leadership to justify a more aggressive foreign policy.

Russia exploits opportunities where it perceives the West has not lived up to its own ideals or standards. The UK must continue to challenge Russia on actions that violate international humanitarian law in Syria or elsewhere, not least its illegal annexation of Crimea.

The UK is not Russia’s enemy. In the long term, Russia’s focus on its western borders may be misplaced. In reality, the China-Russia relationship may be the critical international relationship to watch in the next 50 years.

The FCO’s Russia expertise has disintegrated since the end of the Cold War. This must be reversed. The Committee recommends increased FCO resources to enhance the UK’s analytical and policymaking capacity, and the appointment of an FCO Minister with more specific responsibility for Russia. We encourage the FCO to develop a long-term, people-to-people strategy to build bridges with the next generation of Russian political and economic leaders."

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees