MOSCOW, November 23. /TASS/. Relations with the Russian government and people are more important for the UK than ever before, as decisions made in Moscow hold significance for the entire world, Nigel Casey, the new UK ambassador to Moscow, said in an address to the Russians.

"Maintaining relations with the Russian government and the Russian people remains important to the UK. Perhaps more important now than ever. Decisions made by Russia matter not only for the UK, but for the whole world," he said in a video posted to Telegram.

The UK Embassy earlier said that Casey assumed office as ambassador on Wednesday. The embassy noted that he had presented a copy of his credentials to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

About the ambassador

Casey was born in Royal Leamington Spa, central England. He joined the Foreign Office in 1991. Between 2003 and 2006 Casey worked at the UK Embassy in Moscow. He was subsequently Minister Counselor to New Delhi (2007-2011), Ambassador to Sarajevo (2011-2013), the Prime Minister's Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs (2014-2016), and British High Commissioner to Pretoria (2017-2021). From 2021 he has served as the Prime Minister's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Casey studied modern history at Balliol College, Oxford University. He is married to Clare Casey and has two children.

Casey replaced Deborah Bronnert, who was ambassador from January 2020. She will be transferred to another diplomatic posting, according to the UK Foreign Ministry.