Russia Summons British, French Ambassadors To Amid 'Unprecedented Tension'

Russia summoned the French and British ambassadors to the country on Monday at the Foreign Ministry, citing an "unprecedented new round of tension" caused by recent statements on Ukraine from Paris and London.

Multiple media outlets reported that British Ambassador Nigel Casey and French Ambassador Pierre Levy arrived at the Russian Foreign Ministry building and stayed for 30 and 40 minutes, respectively.

A statement from the Foreign Ministry on Casey's summoning said Russia's protest was conveyed to the ambassador over British Foreign Secretary David Cameron's remarks about "Ukraine's right to strike Russian territory using British weapons."

According to the statement, Casey pointed out that Cameron's remarks contradicted previously conveyed assurances from the British side when transferring long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, and that the missiles would not be used on Russian territory.

"Thus, the head of the (British) Foreign Office disavowed this position, de facto recognizing his country as a party to the conflict," the statement said, expressing that the ambassador was told Moscow views Cameron's remarks as "evidence of a serious escalation and confirmation of London's increasing involvement in military operations on the side of Kyiv."

Casey was warned Russia could target any British military facility and equipment "in Ukraine and beyond" if Ukraine strikes its territory with British weapons, the statement said, adding that he was urged to "think about the inevitable catastrophic consequences of such hostile steps from London" and immediately refute Cameron's "provocative" statements.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has yet to issue an official statement to explain why the French ambassador was summoned.

However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in a press briefing earlier in the day that Moscow has experienced an "unprecedented new round of tension" caused partly by remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron.

Last week, Macron reaffirmed in an interview with The Economist that he did not rule out the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine.

"If the Russians were to break through the frontlines, if there were a Ukrainian request — which is not the case today — we would legitimately have to ask ourselves this question," Macron said when asked if other allies agreed with him on sending troops as a means of deterrence against Russia.

Meanwhile, according to Sky News, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron during a visit to Kyiv on Friday supported Ukrainian strikes against targets in Russia with weapons supplied by London. The broadcaster said Cameron argued that Ukraine "absolutely has the right" to strike back at Moscow's military actions. -