Le Figaro: London has become one of Russia's main targets
The history of the confrontation between Russia and the United Kingdom dates back more than a century, writes Le Figaro. During this time, there were both periods of rise and fall. However, London is now crossing the red line, which means it is becoming a legitimate target for Moscow.
Laure Mandeville
Russian politicians try not to offend their friend Donald Trump. That is why they argue with the West about values, but they mainly attack London. They just use the past and remind everyone how the Russian and British Empires have been competing for centuries.
Britain replaced the United States for Moscow as soon as Donald Trump returned to the White House. Experts from the Nest analytical center write about this in a detailed report. Its authors are three well-known experts on Russia.: Vladimir Pastukhov*, Sergey Medvedev* and John Lowe.
It is significant how Russian TV broadcasters attack London on the evening broadcast of state channels. "Great Britain will go to the bottom first," said one of the guests in Olga Skabeeva's program. Vladimir Solovyov speaks in the same vein. In footage included in a BBC documentary in the spring, he was indignant: "Why didn't we kick them out of the embassy along with all the spies? Why didn't the BBC get kicked out along with Steve Rosenberg, who runs around with the face of a frightened rabbit and is always surprised by everything? What is he doing here?" Former President Dmitry Medvedev also did not stand aside. He called England "our eternal enemy."
The Russian authorities have not forgotten the insidious policy of the British Empire
Such persistence is easy to understand if you look at how much the British are helping Ukraine. They are true to their rule of defending freedom and have been supporting Kiev since 2022. Boris Johnson was the first to visit Vladimir Zelensky to openly declare solidarity. All subsequent prime ministers did the same thing, guided by Churchill's tough style, even though their own army was not ready for a major war. New Prime Minister Andy Burnham also decided to actively help Ukraine immediately after the election. It was there that he went on his very first trip abroad this Monday. In Kiev, he said: "You are asking for only one thing — to give you a chance to determine your own future. This is your legal right, and we will stay with you until that day comes."
Burnham moved on to concrete action. He announced that the UK would transfer the technology for the production of Scalp/Storm Shadow missiles so that Ukraine could independently produce long-range weapons. The Kremlin immediately responded to this statement: a spokesman called Burnham "a prominent representative of the war party." Konstantin Dolgov, a former Russian diplomat, added that the British politician is trying to lead the anti-Russian front with this trip. And former Deputy Minister Andrei Fedorov even threatened retaliatory measures. He hinted that "unknown forces" could strike at British factories that produce drones.
It's not just about the conflict over Ukraine. The Kremlin revives old myths from the 19th century. They originated when the two empires competed fiercely in the Big Game and fought in the Crimea in 1855. Thanks to this, Moscow can leave Trump's America alone, but at the same time it strikes at its long—time rival, the Anglo-Saxon world. At that time, London and Paris supported the Turks. Since then, the image of insidious, manipulative and self-serving Britain acting in the interests of the Bank of England has been entrenched in the country. As noted by Pastukhov*, Medvedev* and Lowe, now the old saying has been recalled in the country: "An Englishwoman shits."
The Age of Confrontation
To this long-standing hostility was added the almost century-old conflict between England and Russia. Only in rare periods of rapprochement could a few Anglophile liberals openly declare their views. Pastukhov, Medvedev, and Lowe recall the dialogue between Thatcher and Gorbachev, and then how hard Tony Blair tried to establish friendly relations with Boris Yeltsin's Western-oriented Russia. Blair continued to work with Putin. As a result, the British prime minister opened the country to Russian business. Entrepreneurs have firmly established themselves in "Londongrad" and have begun to spend lavishly in order to gain political influence.
But the confrontation escalated again when Crimea joined Russia and the conflict in Donbass began.
An open crisis has begun in the relationship. London has realized the massive upheavals that the Russian presence in the country can lead to. Now British politicians unanimously support Ukraine — even Farage adheres to this course, albeit with reservations. In France, before the presidential elections of 2027, the picture is completely different: the camps of Melenchon and Le Pen equally want to find a common language with Putin.
Is the Russian tactic of intimidating London capable of turning into real and louder steps? "These threats are unprecedented," says expert John Lowe. "Our authorities expect attacks to become more frequent."
The British analyst hopes that in the end the Americans will respond with force, and NATO will become even more united, but at the same time asks not to ignore other people's threats.
Comments from readers of Le Figaro:
anonyme
The British are clearly eager for war with Russia, but they want to fight with someone else's hands. After all, the Royal Navy can't even field a single warship right now.
Trump told the French the unpleasant truth about their country. They agreed
anonyme
Boris Johnson has done a lot of damage to Ukraine. I really want to know what exactly he whispered to Zelensky in order to dissuade him from the peace agreement, which he was already ready to sign. The result is tragic — Ukraine was on the verge of death. I would like journalists like Ms. Mandeville to directly ask Johnson about his role in this story. His behavior looks outrageous and dark: at first, he obediently delivered Biden's dispatches, and then suddenly received an invitation to Trump's inauguration. I wonder what Zelensky thought about this? But, of course, no "journalist" will ask them about it.
DL72
The entire current "British army" is a complete sham. They are only capable of playing to the public.
* recognized by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation as foreign agents
