The Great Britain -
Russia Society
The Great Britain -
Russia Society
2024's Daniel Salbstein Memorial Lecture (for which the in-person tickets were sold out) was held last on 19 September 2024 at Pushkin House and live-streamed via YouTube, and was a great success. We were delighted that our Patron, His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent, was able to attend.
Dame Deborah Bronnert DCMG, delivered an informative and enlightening talk, in which she shared with us the insights into the UK-Russia relationship she gained during her time as HM Ambassador in Moscow, between 2020-2023. She helpfully provided an historical perspective and reminded us that relations between London and Moscow go back centuries and that there have been many times of co-operation as well as tension.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 inevitably led to a further deterioration in bilateral relations, which were already under strain. Dame Deborah explained the importance - despite our serious disagreements - of keeping channels of communication open at government level, and that this is why the UK continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation.
Dame Deborah's conclusion was that, while "we should not stop supporting Ukraine", "we should also not give up on Russia or Russians– which means, especially in the bleakest of times, maintaining a relationship" with Russia. After the talk, she responded with admirable clarity to a wide range of questions from the audience. Her presentation and the way she handled the Q & A session were much appreciated by the audience, including HRH, Prince Michael, and the feedback since has been very positive.
The GBRSare very grateful to Dame Deborah Bronnert for providing, in this fourth Memorial Lecture, such a worthy commemoration of the Society's founder, Daniel Salbstein.