Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the aims and objectives are of the Government's policy towards Russia.

The Government’s objectives in respect of Russia are to protect UK interests and those of our allies and partners; to engage with Russia on global security issues and in key areas of shared interest; to promote our values, including the rule of law and human rights; and to build stronger links between the British and Russian people more widely.

This means that we are focused on: keeping the pressure on Russia to adhere to its international obligations; supporting Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements; persuading Russia to concentrate efforts on tackling ISIL and finding a political solution in Syria; promoting UK prosperity via trade links within the constraints of sanctions; and encouraging cooperation in education, culture and science, e.g. through the British Council-led Year of English Language and Literature in Russia in 2016.