The UK’s foreign ministry named Nigel Casey as the next ambassador to Russia on Wednesday, amid rising hostilities between Moscow and London following the invasion of Ukraine.
Britain new ambassador to Russia: Casey will replace Deborah Bronnert, who has held the position since 2020, and he will assume the role in November.
Casey, a 54-year-old career diplomat who began working for the foreign office in 1991, most recently held the position of special representative of the prime minister for Afghanistan.
He has also held the positions of ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina and high commissioner for Britain in South Africa.
In Moscow from 2003 to 2006, Casey was assigned.
As the latest indication of deteriorating relations, Moscow last month proposed travel restrictions for British diplomats stationed in Russia.
With very few exceptions, the diplomats will need to inform the authorities in advance of their travel plans, including a detailed itinerary.
Moscow stated that they took the actions in retaliation for London’s “hostile actions,” which included “hindering the normal operation of Russian foreign missions in the UK.”
Since President Vladimir Putin invaded the pro-Western nation in February of last year, Britain has been a crucial supporter of Ukraine.
In addition to imposing sanctions on Russian organisations and people, London has provided Kyiv with combat tanks and long-range armaments.