Corbyn refuses to back Hunt call for tougher sanctions on Russia
JEREMY CORBYN has refused to endorse calls for Britain to follow the US and impose tougher sanctions on Russia, describing it as a “huge player on the world stage”.
The Labour leader called for “seri- ous dialogue” with Moscow, as Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, used his first speech in the US to call for the European Union to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Washington over tougher sanctions on Russia.
Mr Corbyn told an audience in New Lanark, Scotland: “I think what we need is a serious dialogue with Russia, put the megaphones down, pick up the phone and make the arrangements to have serious meetings with Russia.
“Yes, there are huge human rights issues that have to be raised with Russia, and Russia has to be challenged on them, but at the end of the day there has to be a relationship with Russia. We cannot just have a building up of tensions on both sides of the border.”
Asked if tougher sanctions should be put in place, Mr Corbyn said: “You have to realise you’ve got to live with Russia, you’ve got to negotiate with Russia, you have to be critical of Russia where they are wrong, but you also have to have that relationship.”
“Russia is part of the Europe-wide economy, a major energy supplier and a huge player on the world stage.”
The comments went against calls by Mr Hunt for the EU to take more decisive action against “aggressive and malign behaviour” by the Kremlin. The Foreign Secretary praised the Trump administration’s support of the UK following the Salisbury poisonings, as well as its latest round of sanctions, which come into force today.
Mr Hunt said: “Of course we must engage with Moscow, but we must also be blunt: Russia’s foreign policy under President Putin has made the world a more dangerous place.
“Today the UK asks its allies to go further by calling on the European Union to ensure its sanctions are comprehensive, and that we truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the US.
“That means calling out and responding to transgressions with one voice wherever they occur, from Salisbury to the heart of Crimea.”
He later clarified that his call for the EU to support the US “doesn’t mean we will react in the same way as the US”.
Mr Hunt praised Donald Trump’s administration and added: “There is no closer military alliance anywhere in the world than the UK and US.”