On Monday 16 July 2007, David Millband, UK foreign secretary stood before the House of Commons and announced that the UK will expel 4 Russian diplomats, suspend visa facilitation negotiations and review cooperation with Russia over a series of issues.
The allegations against Russia were clearly stated; it had failed to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGB agent who was implicated in the death of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian spy. Russia was also accused of failing to recognise the importance this matter.
Russia’s Response
Russia response was conveyed by Alexander Grushko, deputy foreign minister, before the world’s media on Tuesday 17 July 2007. Russia Today news reported that Grushko advised the UK to expect a “targeted” and “appropriate” response.
Russia’s decision to make an announcement stating that it will soon be making another announcement, albeit with far greater consequences was tailored to produce a desired effect. Observers of Russian cultural diplomacy will identify this tact with a pattern of previous behaviour used when Russia considers a matter to be of paramount national importance. This was the case with Georgia in 2002 when it planned to set up a temporary administrative unit in the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
However, Russia’s rhetoric throughout this particular episode of cultural diplomacy has exuded a certain temperance which may belie various underlying factors. For example, in an interview with Russia Today news, Yury Viktorovich Fedetov, the Russian Ambassador to London, said “ a lot depends on the political will of the British government” to imply that Russia did not want to escalate the situation.
Possible Reasons for Russia’s Tempered Approach
The decision to ascribe temperance to Russia’s approach must be understood from the viewpoint of earlier attempts by Russia to seek the extradition of 21 suspects resident in the UK (including murder and terrorism suspects). On each of these occasions Britain had refused Russian requests.
One reason for this manner of cultural diplomacy appears to be related to socio-economic concerns as Grushko explained in his statement that Russia’s future actions would take account of the likely effect on the lives of ordinary citizens.
A more telling admission was noticed in Grushko’s plea to the EU not to be tempted to get involved in this episode of cultural diplomacy between Russia and the UK. Milliband had earlier implied in his statement that the actions of the UK carried the strong support of the EU.
Accordingly, Russia perceived temperance also appears to be motivated by a desire to avoid opening a new corridor of confrontation with the EU.
What does the UK Hope to Achieve?
The art of cultural diplomacy is a delicate and sometimes complicated business. Seasoned practitioners of cultural diplomacy understand this and would not engage in making decisions without calculating their likely effects.
There is a strong probability that the UK understood that the likely response by Russia would be to expel 4 British diplomats from Russia (this dynamic is known in cultural diplomatic circles as a mirrored response).
Although the UK’s ultimate aim remains unclear, it has succeeded in sending a strong message to the international community that it is will not shy away from difficult decisions. Ultimately, it is hoped that these chain of events will eventually lead to justice for Mr Alexander Litvinenko.
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