MOSCOW: Britain will name its next ambassador to Russia on Friday, Russian news agencies quoted the current envoy as saying on Thursday, adding the replacement had nothing to do with the worsening of ties between the two states.

"I am here until September this year," local agencies quoted Ambassador Tony Brenton as telling journalists.

He rejected speculation that his replacement could have been prompted by the chilly relations between Moscow and London. "This is not true. I am leaving on schedule after spending four years in Russia."

He said the name of the new ambassador would be announced at 6 a.m. EDT in London on Friday.

Ties between London and Moscow are at their lowest point since the Cold War, due in part to a row over Russia's refusal to extradite a former KGB agent wanted for trial in Britain over the murder of a Kremlin critic in London.

That led to diplomats being expelled from both countries and to the forced closure of two regional offices of the British Council, the cultural arm of Britain's government.

 

Source : UNI