LONDON, October 26. /TASS/. Political contacts between London and Moscow have been put on hold at the initiative of Britain amid events in Syria and Ukraine, Russia’s Ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko said in an interview with The Times on Monday.
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"Practically all political contacts were abruptly broken off at Britain’s initiative, political dialogue has gone at the top level, between the leaders," Yakovenko said. "At the ministerial level there is also stagnation. This began with the Syria conflict, but we felt it especially after the Ukrainian crisis."
The forums for discussions in the spheres of trade and economic cooperation where the sides discussed the issues of mutual interest have been frozen and scientific ties have been suspended, and culture remains the only remaining sphere of contacts, the ambassador said.
The diplomatic ties between Russia and the UK sank to new lows after having "bit by bit fallen into decline" in recent years, he said.
The number of Russia’s embassy workers in London has been reduced as the British authorities refuse to grant visas to Russian diplomats, the ambassador added.