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EU Backs UK
Moscow expels four British diplomats, ends cooperation
Following on from yesterday's story about foot-dragging in European capitals regarding escalating tensions between London and Moscow, the the EU's rotating Presidency has issued a statement calling for "urgent and constructive" cooperation from Russia.
It came hours before Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin declared that four British diplomats were to be expelled from Moscow, in apparent retaliation from Britain's expulsion of four Russians earlier this week.
Kamynim added that Russia would stop issuing visas to British officials and seeking British visas for Russian officials. Furthermore, Russia would halt counterterrorism cooperation with Britain: "To our regret, cooperation between Russia and Britain on issues of fighting terrorism becomes impossible."
The Russians claim their response is "targeted, balanced and the minimum necessary."
The EU's statement in full, delivered by the Portugeuse Presidency:
"The Presidency recalls its statement of 1 June on the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, a grave and reckless crime. The EU expresses its disappointment at Russia's failure to cooperate constructively with the UK authorities. The EU underlines the importance of urgent and constructive cooperation by the Russian Federation on this matter. The EU hopes for a satisfactory solution to this matter, which raises important questions of common interest to EU Member States."
The FT reports that Britain believes securing France's support for a relatively stern line from the EU was crucial to the statement. A meeting between foreign secretaries David Milliband and Bernard Kouchner was reported to be the warmest between UK and French officials for some time.
Moscow had warned against Britain attempting to make the Litvinenko affair an EU issue; however, the statement's pointed reference to "common interests" of EU members suggests British warnings of Russia's baleful influence in western Europe have been heeded.
The EU statement was hoped to stop the crisis from escalating. However, it remains to be seen if Moscow's retaliatory expulsion of four British diplomats will bring the matter to a close for the time being.
More sound stuff from the EU Referendum Blog and Dan Hannan's blog.
