New British-Russian Rivalry Emerging?

Russia is talking tough against Britain, in a move against the latter’s opening more bases across the world. The Washington Examiner reports:

Russia could take “retaliatory” actions if the United Kingdom builds new military installations around the world, a top diplomat warned.

“The intention to build up military presence in third countries are of counter-productive, destabilizing and frequently provocative nature,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Friday.

Zakharova’s rebuke followed a forecast from British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson, who revealed that the United Kingdom intends to play a more prominent national security role following the exit from the European Union. He has a goal of “creating a deterrent but also taking a British presence,” as he told British media two weeks ago.

“This is our moment to be that true global player once more – and I think the armed forces play a really important role as part of that,” Williamson said. “We are looking at those opportunities not just in the Far East but also in the Caribbean as well.”

Britain’s new independence from the EU will create more opportunities for strategic basing for Britain itself and the US, but also antagonize strategic enemies like Russia and China.

Loading...

Latest Comments

  1. jason January 14, 2019