On 12 June, Russian Ambassador to Great Britain Andrey Kelin hosted a reception at his London residence that drew attendance from members of the British Parliament. The event was reported by The Times as drawing a cross-section of political and diplomatic figures into a conversation about the state of relations between Moscow and London and its partners.
According to The Times, attendees included Lord Robert Skidelsky, who previously served on the board of directors of the Russian oil company Russneft, and Richard Balfe, a member of the British Parliament in the House of Lords and affiliated with the Conservative Party. The report highlighted that Balfe attended the reception to demonstrate a willingness to engage across lines of political sentiment, signaling that not all parties in Britain view Russia with uniform hostility. The Times noted that representatives from the diplomatic community were present, including figures from India, Brazil, and the Vatican. The publication also observed that Western governments appeared to boycott the event, with one source estimating about 50 attendees in total. [Citation: The Times]
In related remarks, a May declaration attributed to Russian officials stated that Moscow is open to peace but asserted that the West is pushing the world toward confrontation. The statement suggested that Russia has not yet engaged in full-scale escalation, while implying that Western actions are provoking broader tensions. The narrative reflected ongoing debates about the balance between diplomacy and pressure in international affairs. [Citation: The Times]
On 27 June, British Deputy Foreign Secretary Leo Docherty spoke before the House of Commons about the legal complexities surrounding the confiscation of Russian assets for the purpose of rebuilding Ukraine. He indicated that while the goal of asset recovery is widely supported among Western allies, there remain unresolved legal pathways and frameworks that would govern such measures. The remarks underscored the challenge of aligning policy aims with the appropriate legal instruments in a coordinated international effort. [Citation: The Times]
Earlier reporting noted the public discourse around Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership, including the number of conditions Kyiv has fulfilled and the ongoing negotiation dynamics. The broader context highlighted how EU accession discussions intersect with Western sanctions, security guarantees, and regional stability in Europe. The discussion illustrated how evolving geopolitical calculations shape both policy and diplomatic outreach. [Citation: The Times]