Kremlin says Starmer's exit unlikely to change UK's hostile attitude towards Russia - Headlines news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Kremlin says Starmer's exit unlikely to change UK's hostile attitude towards Russia

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 22, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: June 22, 2026

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Kremlin Sees Little Change in UK-Russia Relations After Starmer's Departure

Analysis of UK-Russia Relations Following Starmer's Resignation

MOSCOW, June 22 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Monday that the departure of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a strong supporter of Ukraine, was unlikely to change what it characterised as London's hostile attitude towards Russia.

Starmer's Resignation and Political Context

Starmer said on Monday he would resign, promising to ensure an orderly transfer of power to a new leader by September at the latest to try to avoid political instability as Britain prepares for its seventh leader in 10 years.

Kremlin's Perspective on Starmer's Tenure

"Starmer has not done anything to distinguish himself on the issue of British-Russian relations," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Expectations for Future UK Leadership

"He has always been in favour of keeping relations at a zero level. It is unlikely that anyone on the British political scene will hold a position on our country that differs from Starmer’s," said Peskov.

(Reporting by Dmitry AntonovEditing by Andrew Osborn)

Key Takeaways

  • Starmer becomes the sixth UK prime minister in roughly a decade, reflecting political turbulence—his resignation follows poor local election results and mounting leadership challenges (axios.com).
  • Recent UK–Russia relations remain frosty: incidents such as a Russian warship firing warning shots near British waters and mutual diplomatic expulsions underscore sustained tensions (marketscreener.com).
  • The UK has tightened sanctions against Russia, targeting oil revenues, LNG infrastructure, and banks to weaken Moscow’s war capabilities—moves unlikely to be reversed by any incoming British leader (gov.uk).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Kremlin say about Starmer's resignation?
The Kremlin said Starmer’s resignation is unlikely to change the UK’s hostile attitude towards Russia.
How did Starmer handle British-Russian relations?
According to the Kremlin, Starmer did not distinguish himself and favored maintaining relations at a zero level.
When will Starmer step down as UK Prime Minister?
Starmer promised to resign by September at the latest to allow for an orderly transfer of power.
Will the UK’s approach to Russia change after Starmer’s exit?
The Kremlin believes it is unlikely and that no UK leader is expected to take a different stance.

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