Embassy Press Officer’s reply to a question on allegations in the UK concerning “Russian cyberthreats”
Q: How would you comment on statements of the British officials and allegations in the media drawing attention of the public to “growing cyberthreats from Russia”?
A: In recent days, we have again witnessed numerous warnings that the UK must prepare for an inevitable cyber attack from Russia “in retaliation” for airstrikes in Syria and the Salisbury incident. These reports follow a dangerous pattern of British rhetoric.
In February, the United Kingdom blamed the Russian Government for NotPetya cyber attacks of June 2017, calling them “a continued disregard for Ukrainian sovereignty” and stating that “the Kremlin has positioned Russia in direct opposition to the West”.
More recently, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, speaking on 11 April in Manchester, claimed that “over the past six months, the National Cyber Security Centre has responded to 49 incidents associated with Russian cyber groups”, and that “Russian actors have systematically targeted the UK amongst others, expanding the number of sectors targeted, in addition to the energy, telecoms and media”.
We consider these accusations and speculations as striking examples of a reckless, provocative and unfounded policy against Russia. We are disappointed by the fact that such serious claims have been made publicly, without any proof being presented and without any attempt by the United Kingdom to clarify the situation with the Russian side in the first place.
It would be useful to point out that Russia has made several proposals to the United Kingdom on different levels to establish bilateral mechanisms of cooperation in the sphere of information security. In December 2017, during Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson’s visit to Moscow, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov proposed to launch a serious dialogue on this matter. Unfortunately, all our proposals have been ignored by the British side.
We have also noted that the British Government did not deny the numerous statements by MPs, experts and media regarding a possible “deployment” of “offensive cyber capabilities” by the United Kingdom against Russia. Prime Minister Theresa May did not directly reject such possibility during her statement in the House of Commons on 14 March. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also failed to deny that in official correspondence, despite our direct requests.
Given that in recent days the British media, instigated by official statements, has again started to exploit the issue of “cyberthreats from Russia”, impression grows that the British public is being prepared for a massive cyber attack by the UK against Russia, that will purport to be of a retaliatory nature, but would in fact constitute unprovoked use of force.
Russia is not planning to conduct any cyber attacks against the United Kingdom. We expect the British Government to declare the same.
Vladimir Putin took part in the Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit.
The summit focused on fighting the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the global economy.
In view of the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation is urging all parties to regional armed conflicts to immediately stop hostilities, secure a ceasefire, and introduce a humanitarian pause.
We have been dismayed by the article “Putin flexes soft power muscles with medical aid airlift to Italy” appearing in the Financial Times on 24 March. It contains perverted facts along with politicised statements from experts whose world view does not accept good deeds by Russia.
British press are claiming that “Russian state media” are spreading disinformation and escalating the situation in Europe with regard to the coronavirus pandemic. Russia is alleged to be again attempting to set panic and stir controversy in Western societies. It is noteworthy that these publications refer Russian talk shows and opinion articles in online media. They represent personal views and have nothing to do with the Russian state.
In order to ensure state security, protect public health and prevent the spread of new coronavirus infection in the Russian Federation, from 18 March 2020 to 1 May 2020, entry into the Russian Federation is temporarily restricted for foreign citizens and stateless persons.
The first session of the trial on the crash of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in July 2014 started in the District Court of The Hague on March 9-10. During the previous briefing we gave detailed coverage of this issue on the eve of the trial. We said the Western media had launched an unprecedented accusatory media campaign that has become direct pressure on the court and an aggravation of anti-Russia sentiment. Now that the first session has been held, it is clear that our evaluation was well grounded. Although the court dealt only with procedural issues in this session, like the schedule and the order of the sessions, and the presence of participants, the frenzy over the trial has not abated. On the contrary, it has been fueled by some Western politicians, investigators and prosecutors.
The Republic of Turkey and the Russian Federation, as guarantors of the observance of the ceasefire regime in the Syrian Arab Republic... Have agreed as follows, 1- Cease all military actions along the line of contact in the Idlib De-escalation area starting from 00:01 of March 6, 2020. 2- A security corridor will be established 6 km deep to the north and 6 km deep to the south from highway M4. Specific parameters of the functioning of the security corridor will be agreed between the Defense Ministries of the Turkish Republic and the Russian Federation within 7 days. 3- On March 15, 2020, joint Turkish-Russian patrolling will begin along highway M4 from the settlement of Trumba (2 km to the west from Saraqib) to the settlement of Ain-AI-Havr;
This additional protocol enters into force from the moment of signing.
Today marks two years since Russian nationals Sergei and Yulia Skripal were involved in an incident in Salisbury. Back in March 2018, the British government was quick in laying the blame on Russia. Huge damage was done to Russian-British political relations. However, both we and the public are yet to see convincing evidence to support the official version of what happened. Instead, the British narrative is full of discrepancies and raises a great deal of specific questions that remain unanswered.
On 3 March, Ambassador Andrei Kelin had a meeting with the members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Russia.
Members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons representing all major political parties in the country participated in the meeting.
Dear Lady Solti,
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Let me congratulate all of us on this magnificent cultural evening, which we are all part of today.
Spring has come and it seems as though it gave London a fresh coat of paint, which is exactly why the Young Russian Opera Singers of the Mariinsky Theatre appear on this stage since 1997. This concert opens the door for young talents at the start of their journey in the same way as spring gives new life to nature.
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