Further written evidence from Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (RUS0046)

OPENING STATEMENT

I am grateful to the Committee for inviting me to give evidence today. I welcome the Committee’s Inquiry into the UK’s relations with Russia, as well as your examination of Russia’s foreign policy.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has submitted written evidence to the Committee and I recently wrote to you, Mr Chairman, to update you on UK policy towards Russia.

Mr Chairman, it is clear that Russia presents a strategic policy challenge for the UK.  It is a country with which we need to engage. But some of whose policies pose a threat to our national interests and demand effective and robust policy responses.

The UK’s relationship with Russia has had a chequered history, and has, over the years, been subject to tensions and contrasting world views. But it was Russia’s occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea in March 2014, and its continued destabilisation in eastern Ukraine that set the context for the UK’s current approach. Russia’s actions involved direct aggression towards a neighbouring country, and seeking to change borders by force. Russia has flouted the basic principles of European security and the international rules-based order and challenged the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation in Europe.

The human consequences of this have been severe; with the death of almost ten thousand people, the wounding of over 20 thousand and the displacement of up to one million within Ukraine. The conflict created the conditions for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which killed all 298 passengers and crew on board, including 10 British Nationals. During this summer the number of lives lost in the conflict in eastern Ukraine reached its highest level for almost a year.

This all resulted from a deliberate policy formulated in the Kremlin to secure strategic influence over Ukraine. It is vital that the UK, along with our international partners, remain steadfast in our rejection of Russia’s actions. And Ukraine should have no doubt that our commitment to its sovereignty has in no way diminished.

The challenge from Russia goes far beyond Ukraine however. As the Strategic Defence and Security Review set out, Russia has become more aggressive, authoritarian and nationalist. Internationally and domestically it is increasingly defining itself in opposition to the West. Russia uses a range of powers to pursue its policies – including propaganda, espionage, cyber and subversion. It continues with assertive and provocative military activity.

In Syria, Russia is continuing to contribute to the appalling humanitarian suffering, through its support for the Syrian regime’s brutal tactics, and its own airstrikes across the country. The assault on eastern Aleppo has created a humanitarian disaster.  Since the conflict began Russia has vetoed six UN Security Council Resolutions on Syria, preventing meaningful action. 

In Russia itself pressure is increasing on civil society and on fundamental democratic rights, as the power vertical around President Putin tightens.

Given this context the core elements of the UK’s approach have been;

• To protect UK interests and those of our allies and partners;
• To uphold the rules-based international order in the face of Russian challenges;
• To promote our values, including the rule of law and human rights.

None of this however means that we should ignore Russia. As a result of Russia’s actions it is clear that it cannot be business-as-usual in our bilateral relationship with Russia. But this does not mean a “freezing” of bilateral relations. It remains important that we continue to engage with Russia in order to make clear where we differ, to avoid misunderstandings, and to forge cooperation where it is in our interests to do so.

The Prime Minister met President Putin at the G20 in Hangzhou on 4 September and Foreign Secretary saw Minister Lavrov at the UN General Assembly in New York on 21 September. They made clear to their Russian counterparts that whilst there remain serious constraints in the relationship, we want to maintain dialogue on issues of shared interest. To that end we have held talks with Russia at Ministerial and senior-official level, including on key foreign policy challenges such as Syria and Afghanistan. We will continue to do so. I myself hope to host talks with my opposite number in London next month.

Looking to the long term, and however difficult the political relationship is, we will continue to encourage links between the British and Russian people. I note successes in this area, with this year having been a Year of Language and Literature and I’m pleased to say next year will be a Year of Science and Education. HRH The Princess Royal visited Russia in August to attend the 75th anniversary commemorations of the first Arctic Convoy and honour our shared Second World War history.

As the Foreign Secretary said to you during his last evidence session; we have a very serious challenge with Russia. The UK must continue to do its upmost to protect itself and its allies. We must remain steadfast in our rejection of Russia’s attempts to subvert the rules based international order. And we must continue to engage. In doing so we hope to persuade the Russian government that there is another path open to them.

December 2016