UK-Russia Relations 'At An All-Time Low'

Britain's relationship with Russia is the worst is has ever been, the Ambassador of Russia to the UK has warned.

According to the Daily Mail, Alexander Yakovenko has attacked No 10 for being 'hostile' and ‘raising tensions in Europe’ by deploying 800 troops to Estonia.

He said that recent UK’s actions have been ‘provocative’ and ‘outright ridiculous’.

Mr Yakovenko told the paper:

"Russia doesn’t pose any threat to Estonia nor any other NATO member-state. That’s why all the talk of territorial defence sounds provocative, and with [the] changing nature of war, outright ridiculous."

When asked if this was the worst point in UK-Russia relations, the Ambassador told the Daily Mail: “Yes, it is.”

Following the recent chemical attack in Syria, Theresa May accused the Kremlin of being 'on the wrong side of the argument' by failing to condemn the Syrian government.

The Ambassador said he had ‘respect’ for the UK Prime Minister, but denied that President Assad could be responsible and rejected her claims.

"There is no moderate opposition alternative to the present government in Syria," he said, adding that Syrians must 'decide for themselves'.

Last week, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Boris Johnson cancelled a trip to Russia following the Syrian strikes.

Mr Yakovenko said it was "another indication that there is no bilateral relationship of substance between our two nations beyond mere diplomatic ones".

Last month, 800 British troops have been deployed to Estonia as part of an enhanced forward presence on Europe's eastern flank.

Following Russia's actions in Ukraine, NATO has been strengthening its border to defend the Baltic states from any sign of Russian aggression.