Bojo in Moscow

Bojo in Moscow

The Brits are at it again. This time to meddle or rather muddle the coming Presidential elections in Russia in March 2018,perhaps, as a "tit for tat" for Russian interference in Brexit. It seems all part of a diplomatic move by both countries to adjust to the realities of world politics, after Russian support in the victory over ISIS in Syria and for the British to appease after the British Olympic Association support of the IOC ban of Russia from the 2018 Olympics.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was at a press conference in Moscow with his counterpart Sergei Lavrov on 22 December 2017.Both sparred over the issue of alleged Russian meddling in the Brexit referendum during the first visit by a British Foreign Secretary to Moscow in over 5 years.

The exchange of views was in good humour as a bemused looking Lavrov and a stiff upper lip Boris had much in common as Boris jokingly said: years ago this was not possible with Winston Churchill and Stalin had serious confrontation at their Yalta summit.

While Lavrov brushed off allegations of hacking,cyber armies or other forms of meddling, Boris admitted  his visit to Moscow had twice  previously  been cancelled at the last minute,due to the symptom of the deep discord in the relationship. "Things are not easy between us at the moment" noted Boris,"but we must not allow ourselves to be defined by these problems.We have to engage,we have to talk to each."

To engage or not to,or at best of international policy,is not an option, for which cooperation or at least coordination with Moscow are key to resolution of issues including Syria, Iran and particularly North Korea.

Besides, cooperation ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, is essential for the safety of British fans.

The most important unspoken gestures were trade relations with Moscow after Brexit. Britain now exports among other items "kettle chips" and "Bentleys" to Russia. With an increasing consumer appetite for quality services and goods make Russia very attractive target for British exports.

Russia's GDP growth rate for the last 5 years has substantially exceeded that of most industrially developed countries. Growth is driven by high commodity prices and booming domestic consumer demands.

The sectors to watch are pharmaceuticals,medical, surgical equipment and precision goods.

The trade outlook with Russian imports remain committed by the oil and gas sector,not discounting agricultural goods.

Vlad Putin has made the long expected announcement that he will seek a new six year presidential term at the election on 18 March 2018.If he completes the full term,Putin will have ruled Russia for 24 years,including the time between 2008 and 2012 when he served under Dmitri Medvedev as Prime Minister.

Given his personal popularity is higher than the ruling United Russia Party, Britain has every reason to make peace with Russia in good time.

Victor Cherubim