The Cold War of the Mind

The tension and mistrust between the UK and Russia is continuing to build. Over recent years, Russia has started to move back into the position that it considers right for itself - regional heavyweight with a view to regaining its superpower status, cemented by bullying tactics against smaller neighbours. Russian behaviour towards Georgia and the Ukraine is threatening to destabilise these nations in their recent political progress, whilst Russian involvement in the Middle East is adding to the mess of the region. None of which is hugely surprising considering the dictatorial tendencies of Time's Man of the Year, Vladimir Putin.

In the midst of all this, it is Britain which is finding itself playing the main role of opposition to the Russian bullying. So much of the current Russian behaviour is an unwelcome return to the cloak and dagger antics of the Cold War era, with their suspected involvement in the murder of Alexander Litvienko and intimidation of British Council staff.

It is understandable why Putin's tactics are supported by many Russians. As happened with Germany following the First World War, people are feeling hurt and embarrassed by the fall of their nation from a strong and feared power to a broken and suffering country. Putin is playing on nationalistic fears and tensions, building a powerful youth movement and ensuring that his grip on power cannot be removed. So it is understandable, but not positive.

The ending of the Cold War was one of the greatest achievement of the end of the 20th Century, but this work will be undone if Russia continues down a totalitarian nationalistic path. I believe that Britain is doing the right thing in standing up to the bullying, and we need to work to keep building up an international consensus in our favour - as demonstrated by the messages in support we have received from the EU and US. However, I hope that David Milliband will be continuing work behind the scenes to rebuild some relationship between our two nations. We do not want Russia to feel too isolated, as this will merely serve as further fuel for Putin. Rather we would like to encourage them to play a positive role on the world stage, with closer links with the EU for mutual development.

However, this desire for interaction has to be balanced with a concern for our national interests and protection of our staff and citizens working in Russia. We have to stand firm and show Russia that there are other ways for it to work that don't have to involve bullying or intimidation.

The world has changed since the Cold War, now Russia must change too.