Ex-British Diplomat Urges Return Of UK-Russia Ties But EU Wants To 'Step Up Sanctions' After Black Sea Military Build Up

A former British ambassador in Russia believes relationship between Britain and Russia should be return to normal and suggests the lifting of sanctions against Moscow. Sir Tony Brenton said the world needs to find a way to stop the conflict in Ukraine.

“Whatever the past may be, we have to do a deal to end the fighting in Ukraine and to move back towards normal relations, including ending the sanctions,” said Brenton in an interview with Sputnik News. Since April 2014, eastern Ukraine has become a scene of violent fighting between government forces and pro-Russian separatists.

The West has repeatedly blamed Russia for the escalation of tensions in Ukraine, but Moscow has denied any involvement and called for an end to hostilities. The heightened tensions with Russia followed after the West went ahead and imposed several economic and trade sanctions on Russia. In response to the sanctions, Russia had banned food products from the EU member states, the U.S. and other allied nations.

The EU Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs has urged member states to step up sanctions and consider the possibility of giving Ukraine “defensive arms.” In a press release, the MEPs said returning Crimea is critical to the EU’s long-term cooperation with Russia. They added that EU countries should boost their own defence capabilities.

The committee MEPs said they firmly support the non-recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. They also ask EU nations to speak with one united voice on EU relations with Russia. The MEPs have assessed the Russian military build up in the Black Sea since Moscow had annexed Crimea.

“Through the strategic military developments, including heavy rearmament of Crimea, Russia is in practice creating another launching pad, of the proportions of Kaliningrad, this time in the Black Sea,” said the committee MEPs. They believe that in one year, the defensive force in the Black Sea has been “transformed into a strike force.”

Meanwhile, photos obtained by the USNI News show two People’s Liberation Army Navy guided missile frigates entering the Black Sea on May 4. The two ships were headed for the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk ahead of a planned visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Moscow. The ships are expected to reach their destination to May 9. China’s growing relations with Russia has led to the first bilaterial exercise in the Mediterranean within the month of May.

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