Truss faces open Russian hostility from day one as British PM | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 18, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025
Truss faces open Russian hostility from day one as British PM

World+Biz

Reuters
05 September, 2022, 08:25 pm
Last modified: 05 September, 2022, 08:27 pm

Related News

  • Kremlin says 'emotional overload' after Trump calls Putin 'crazy'
  • Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over US dollar will backfire
  • Kremlin accuses the West of helping Ukraine attack Russia
  • Kremlin says Biden calling Putin a 'crazy SOB' debases the US
  • Kremlin says OPEC+ output cuts will kick in later, confirms Putin to visit Gulf

Truss faces open Russian hostility from day one as British PM

Reuters
05 September, 2022, 08:25 pm
Last modified: 05 September, 2022, 08:27 pm
File Photo: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a joint news conference in Moscow, Russia February 18, 2022. Sputnik/Sergey Guneev/Kremlin via REUTERS
File Photo: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends a joint news conference in Moscow, Russia February 18, 2022. Sputnik/Sergey Guneev/Kremlin via REUTERS

Openly scornful of Liz Truss long before she became prime minister, the Kremlin is in no mood to grant a honeymoon period to Britain's new leader.

Among the many foreign politicians who flew to Moscow at the start of this year in an effort to head off an invasion of Ukraine, it was Truss who appeared to annoy Russia's leadership more than any other.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described their conversation as like a dialogue between deaf and mute people, complaining that facts had "bounced off" her.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Then a Russian newspaper reported that Truss, during their meeting, had inadvertently told Lavrov that Britain would never recognise Moscow's sovereignty over two Russian cities, Rostov and Voronezh, and had to be corrected by her ambassador.

The Kremlin seized on the error as an example of Western leaders being poorly informed. Britain dismissed that as propaganda and said Truss had simply misheard a question from Lavrov.

Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of political analysis firm R.Politik, said that incident had played a significant role in forming Russia's attitude to Truss.

"The Kremlin dreams to deal with great, strong and competent leaders. Truss seems to the Kremlin as a representative of this new generation of superficial Western politicians who come and go and are unable to deal with such countries as Russia, think strategically and plan in the long term," she said.

"They, in the Kremlin, were so happy when she made this mistake. It was a 'gift' to use instantly against her."

Russia also pounced on an earlier gaffe when Truss got mixed up between the Black and Baltic Seas, prompting foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to complain of "the stupidity and ignorance of Anglo-Saxon politicians".

And the government newspaper mocked Truss for posing in a fur hat on Red Square like her role model Margaret Thatcher, even though the weather during her visit was mild.

The openly contemptuous Moscow view of Truss contrasts with the respect that many Russians accorded to Thatcher, regarding her as a formidable opponent and awarding her the nickname of the Iron Lady, which she embraced as a compliment.

Speaking before the announcement that Truss had defeated Rishi Sunak in a contest to succeed Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader and prime minister, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that relations with London might deteriorate further.

"I wouldn't like to say that things can change for the worse, because it's hard to imagine anything worse," he said when asked if Moscow expected any shift in ties.

"But unfortunately, this cannot be ruled out, given that the contenders for the post of British prime minister competed with each other in anti-Russian rhetoric, in threats to take further steps against our country, and so on. Therefore, I don't think that we can hope for anything positive."

Political analysts expect Truss to maintain Britain's stance as one of the most active and vocal supporters of Ukraine, supplying it with weapons and training.

Russian hostility may not overly worry her – and may even prove useful – as she sets out to prove her credentials as a strong leader facing up to Moscow over Ukraine.

Despite her gaffe during the visit in February, she showed herself able to stand up to the far more experienced Lavrov by publicly challenging his assertion that Russia was not threatening anyone with its vast military build-up on the border with Ukraine. Two weeks later, Russia invaded its neighbour.

Top News

UK PM Liz Truss / Kremlin

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Around 99% of the cotton used in Bangladesh’s export and domestic garment production is imported. Photo: Collected
    NBR withdraws advance tax on imports of cotton, man-made fibres
  • The fire originated at 10:40pm on the 21th floor of the building. Photo: Collected
    Fire at Sena Kalyan Bhaban in Motijheel under control
  • Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presided over a meeting of the National Consensus Commission at the State Guest House Jamuna yesterday (17 July). Photo: UNB
    CA Yunus stresses transparency in finalising July Charter

MOST VIEWED

  • Bangladesh Bank buys $313m more in second dollar auction in three days
    Bangladesh Bank buys $313m more in second dollar auction in three days
  • Representational image. File Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Malaysia grants Bangladeshi workers multiple-entry visas
  • The Chattogram Custom House building in Chattogram. File Photo: Collected
    Software slowdown disrupts customs operations nationwide
  • NCP leaders are seen getting on an armoured personnel carrier (APC) of the army to leave Gopalganj following attacks on their convoy after the party's rally in the district today (16 july). Photo: Focus Bangla
    NCP leaders leave Gopalganj in army's APC following attack on convoy, clashes between AL, police
  • Renata’s manufacturing standards win european recognition
    Renata’s manufacturing standards win european recognition
  • The supporters of local Awami League and Chhatra League locked in a clash with police following attacks on NCP convoy this afternoon (16 July). Photo: Collected
    Gopalganj under curfew; 4 killed as banned AL, police clash after attack on NCP leaders

Related News

  • Kremlin says 'emotional overload' after Trump calls Putin 'crazy'
  • Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over US dollar will backfire
  • Kremlin accuses the West of helping Ukraine attack Russia
  • Kremlin says Biden calling Putin a 'crazy SOB' debases the US
  • Kremlin says OPEC+ output cuts will kick in later, confirms Putin to visit Gulf

Features

Illustration: TBS

20 years of war, 7.5m tonnes of bombs, 1.3m dead: How the US razed Vietnam to the ground

5h | The Big Picture
On 17 July 2024, Dhaka University campus became a warzone with police firing tear shells and rubber bullets to control the student movement. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS

17 July 2024: Students oust Chhatra League from campuses, Hasina promises 'justice' after deadly crackdown

12h | Panorama
Abu Sayeed spread his hands as police fired rubber bullets, leading to his tragic death. Photos: Collected

How Abu Sayed’s wings of freedom ignited the fire of July uprising

2d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Open source legal advice: How Facebook groups are empowering victims of land disputes

3d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Why the conflicting claims over Gopalganj autopsies?

Why the conflicting claims over Gopalganj autopsies?

5h | TBS Stories
Gopalganj violence in international media

Gopalganj violence in international media

6h | TBS World
The Philippines has become a laboratory for China's disinformation propaganda

The Philippines has become a laboratory for China's disinformation propaganda

7h | TBS World
Gopalganj clash: Army urges not to be misled by rumors

Gopalganj clash: Army urges not to be misled by rumors

8h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net