Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova yesterday warned friendly countries against “flirting with the British.” As reported by the Foreign Ministry, Zakharova noted that Russia has just designated the British Council as an undesirable entity, and concluded: “In light of the aforementioned circumstances, we would like to caution our partners in Russia-friendly states against fostering ties or flirting with the British. Providing favourable conditions for organizations such as the British Council—permitting them access to youth and the implementation of ostensibly harmless cultural and educational projects—poses the risk of losing control over critical social and political processes. The positions of influence gained through such activities are subsequently exploited by London to interfere in the internal affairs of other states, directly threatening their sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
There was an incisive commentary along the same lines by top Russian intelligence expert SVR Lt. Gen. (ret.) Leonid Reshetnikov, who told Sputnik that the British have been out to destroy Russia for centuries. “Russia has been the main focus of this work since the time of Ivan Grozny. I say this in all seriousness,” Reshetnikov said, adding that the British have had “many years, many centuries of experience” in indirect forms of intelligence collection.
“They actively use the scientific and teaching fields. When our educators go to the U.K. or other countries where the British are active, they should always keep in mind that they will be studied, that informal, friendly and trusting relationships will be formed with them,” the veteran ex-secret agent explained.
