This is a long overdue visit. Labour made a complete horlicks of relations with Russia, especially Brown and Milliband David. Britain must learn once and for all, that it too has skeletons in its cupboard and aspects of our society are malfunctioning or unfair. Lecturing everybody on their faults is an immature and fruitless way to conduct diplomacy. Our interest in Russia is that of our common interests, which we can develop to mutual advantage. Russia has all the gas and oil Europe needs. It has vast potential as a market for consumer goods. Its infrastructure is overdue for renewal. All of this adds up to a multitude of opportunities to help dig us out of the financial hole we find ourselves in.
It is indeed the case that Russia prefers a more authoritarian style of democracy than we do and it culturally craves a strong leader. It is true that the collapse of communism was replaced, in the vacuum which followed it that we did little to help fill, a kind of corporate and state corruption which is a hallmark of their brand of capitalism. It is also true that the Russian mafia is an uncomfortably powerful force. But that is Russia.
It is also true that we have much in common and we have common interests. Neither of our countries is wholly European, but we are both a part of Europe and important book ends to the west and east. If united we can help guarantee the underlying tensions of the European continent, responsible for so much bloodshed over the centuries, remain harnessed for the common good. Russia should be in the EU and a member of NATO. Both would be significantly stronger to protect the values of European civilisation in a world where the U.S. is a declining influence, if Russia were welcome rather than tolerated. Cameron should tell his hosts that we want them on board as friends and allies. As we learn to work together, many of the other issues will either resolve or lose importance.
It is time for British foreign policy to grow up. Under William Hague it is showing increasing signs that it is doing so.