§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of current diplomatic relations with Russia; and if he will make a statement. [103189]
§ Mr. VazThe main focus on our current relations with Russia is Chechnya and our concerns about the human cost of military action there. The European Council on 10–11 December agreed to freeze some EU assistance to Russia as a signal that it cannot be business as usual while indiscriminate use of force continues. We are continuing to press the Russians to seek a political solution, making use of the good offices of the OSCE.
The UK continues to seek a closer working relationship with Russia and to do all that we can to help it build a democratic and stable Russia that is engaged with the outside world. That must remain the right strategic policy goal.