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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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Date de publication
23 May 2023
Accroche

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Date de publication
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Accroche

From the outset of its “special military operation” (SVO) against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia, which possesses one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals, has adopted aggressive deterrence measures and a resolutely menacing rhetorical stance.

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Moldova's Crucial Parliamentary Election. What's at Stake?

Date de publication
22 September 2025
Accroche

On the occasion of Moldova’s National Day, August 27, 2025, Chișinău hosted a high-level European delegation composed of Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk, who sought to reaffirm their support for the country’s sovereignty and pro-European course. This unprecedented and highly symbolic visit took place at a pivotal moment. Moldova is preparing for decisive parliamentary elections on September 28, whose stakes extend far beyond the national framework.

Florent PARMENTIER
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War as Social Elevator: The Socioeconomic Impact of Russian Military Keynesianism

Date de publication
19 June 2025
Accroche

In order to finance its war effort, the Russian state has spent substantial sums of money and implemented a form of “military Keynesianism” that is transforming society at both the socioeconomic and cultural levels. This has partially rebalanced the wide disparities in wealth, levels of consumption, and social prestige in Russian society by granting significant financial and symbolic advantages to peripheral Russia, which has long been overlooked by the central government. 

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Russo-British Relations in the Age of Brexit