Britain always thinks of constraining Russia: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused United Kingdom of involvement in a broad campaign of Russophobia, saying London is always thinking of plots to undermine Moscow’s growing clout at the international stage.
Putin said in a Thursday news conference that Britain’s allegations in March that Russia ordered the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a former double spy, and his daughter in southern England was only a ploy to downgrade Russia-UK relations to lowest levels.
“If there were no Skripals, they would have come up with something else, that's clear to me. There's only one goal: to constrain Russia's growth as a possible competitor,” said Putin, adding, “It's good that he wasn't killed...Thank God, Skripal is alive.”
Moscow has denied UK allegations that its military intelligence service sent two operatives to the town of Salisbury to carry out the poisoning attack on Skripals. Russian officials have repeatedly said that the entire story was a fabrication by British intelligence services to pile more pressure on Russia and to divert public attentions from an internal crisis regarding Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.
Putin admitted that relations between Russia and the UK were currently at a deadlock, adding however that it was London who created the deadlock by resorting to a “politicized, Russophobic approach” which he called “simply a reason to organize yet another attack on Russia”.
The Russia leader said that Moscow was keen to restore ties with London “from their current low” despite UK’s lack of interest.
“It is in the interests of both countries, both governments to get out of this deadlock,” said Putin, adding, “Are we interested in restoring full relations with Britain? Yes, we are interested," said the Russian leader.”
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