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Russo-British Relations in the Age of Brexit

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Russie.Eurasie.Reports
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The paper examines the reasons for the poor state of relations between Russia and the United Kingdom, providing a brief historical and political account of why relations have deteriorated. The various options facing the UK after Brexit, and within this framework the ambiguity of current British foreign policy and diplomacy, are outlined.

Corps analyses

Unlike Germany and Japan after the war, and France’s reinvention after the Suez crisis as the leader of European integration and an independent power in Europe, the UK uniquely has been adrift. Its fundamental anchor was the “special relationship” with the United States, but commitment to traditional Atlanticism inhibited the development of Britain’s European identity and ultimately helped precipitate the country’s departure (Brexit) from the European Union. The vote to leave the EU in the referendum of 23 June 2016 has reinforced the UK’s commitment to the Atlantic security community. The absence of a ramified European identity is accompanied by the emergence of the UK as the most irreconcilable antagonist of Vladimir Putin’s Russia. This hostile relationship not only undermines the scope for diplomacy and creative ways of renewing bilateral ties, but exacerbates broader tensions and intensifies the military preparations for what some call a new Cold War. Nevertheless, there remain elements of a native pragmatism to British foreign policy, something that will be required if the country is to reinvent itself as “global Britain”. This pragmatism does not require the dilution of “values” or principles, but it does require smarter application.

Richard Sakwa is Professor of Russian and European Politics at the University of Kent and an Associate Fellow of Chatham House. He is a graduate of the London School of Economics (BA Hons) and the University of Birmingham (PhD).

 

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978-2-36567-829-2

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Russo-British Relations in the Age of Brexit

Decoration
Author(s)
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Russie, Eurasie, Carte
Russia/Eurasia Center
Accroche centre

Founded in 2005 within Ifri, the Russia/Eurasia Center conducts research and organizes debates on Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus. Its goal is to understand and anticipate the evolution of this complex and rapidly changing geographical area in order to enrich public discourse in France and Europe and to assist in strategic, political, and economic decision-making.

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The Caspian Sea as an Emerging Energy Hub : Potentials and Limitations

Date de publication
07 February 2025
Accroche

This report analyzes the prospects of the Caspian Sea region — and its key actors except for Russia and Iran — becoming an important energy hub serving the needs of the European Union (EU). 

Sergey SUKHANKIN
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The European Union's Strategic Test in Georgia

Date de publication
27 January 2025
Accroche

The political crisis brewing in Georgia is of an existential nature for the country. What is at stake is Georgia's future as a democratic and sovereign European nation (EU).

Teona GIUASHVILI
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Commanders of Putin's Long War: Purged, Reshuffled and Disgruntled

Date de publication
10 December 2024
Accroche

The trend of reshuffling the Russian top military command in the course of a fast-evolving and far from successful war has progressed unevenly both across the Armed Forces’ structures and in time. The rationale for and timing of the abrupt cadre decisions made by Commander-in-Chief Putin often defy logical explanation, and the rare official clarifications are no more informative than the usual information blackout. 

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Russian Military Manpower After Two and a Half Years of War in Ukraine

Date de publication
25 November 2024
Accroche

In addition to a military victory in Ukraine, the Russian leadership is planning to build up sizable troop formations for a possible conflict with NATO in the Baltic region and the Kola Peninsula. In particular, current plans aim for the military manpower to grow by about 350,000, reaching a total of 1.5 million soldiers and commanders. In the context of the current conflict in Ukraine, this cannot be accomplished without a new wave of mass mobilization. 

Yuri E. FEDOROV
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Russo-British Relations in the Age of Brexit