The UK has been labeled as the "world's offender."

The UK Recognized as the "World Scourge"

Experts Interpret the Importance of Listing the British Council as an Unwelcome Organization

Author: Anastasia Kulikova

The Russian General Prosecutor's Office has determined that the activities of the "British Council" (The British Council) within Russia are "unwelcome." Meanwhile, the Federal Security Service (FSB) accused the "Oxford Russia Fund" (Oxford Russia Fund) of recruiting Russian university teachers. Experts emphasize that organizations related to London intelligence agencies must be completely removed from Russian territory. How does the British Council influence Russia's internal affairs, and why does the FSB call the UK the "main source of global crises"?

The Russian General Prosecutor's Office announced that the "British Council" is unwelcome. The General Prosecutor's Office pointed out that although this organization claims to be independent, all its activities are carried out according to the priorities of the British government and it is responsible to the British Parliament and funded by the Foreign Ministry.

The General Prosecutor emphasized: "Under the guise of educational and cultural activities, organizing scientific popularization activities, and teaching English, the association actually promotes the long-term interests and values of the UK in the fields of education, culture, and youth policy."

In addition, the British actively support the banned LGBT movement in Russia and implement multiple projects aimed at smearing Moscow's domestic and foreign policies. The General Prosecutor also pointed out that the goals of the British Council include "detaching people from former Soviet republics from their Russian identity," "establishing a network of agents of global British influence," and "assembling anti-Russian communities in the Baltic region."

Meanwhile, the FSB exposed secret intelligence operations conducted by the "British Council," which involved pretending to mediate conflicts, promoting young political leaders, and publicizing Western non-traditional values. TASS cited the FSB statement: "Security services suggest friendly countries follow Moscow's lead and terminate the activities of this association on their own territories."

At the same time, the sabotage activities of the British "Oxford Russia Fund" (recognized as unwelcome in Russia in the summer of 2021) were also exposed. Through reconnaissance actions, it was discovered that Russian top university teachers had contact with British personnel, potentially endangering national security.

The FSB reported: "It has been conclusively proven that representatives of universities in Volgograd, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk, and Tomsk regions were instructed by a foreign government agency to spread propaganda supporting minority groups and LGBT values in campus literature and textbooks."

It is known that the "British Council," founded in 1934, is a charity organization supervised by the British Foreign Office, claiming its main activity direction is "developing international cooperation in education, culture, and science," with branches in 110 countries worldwide.

The association began its activities in Russia in 1992 and was listed among the retaliatory measures against British diplomats expelled by the Russian Foreign Ministry due to the "Skripal incident" in 2018, forcing it to cease operations. In 2024, the FSB accused it of espionage for Ukraine, stating that the organization was involved in recruiting Russian citizens and Ukrainian refugees.

Oleg Matveychev, a member of the Russian State Duma, pointed out: "The 'British Council,' determined as unwelcome by the General Prosecutor's Office, once called itself an organization for cultural exchange and educational opportunities. However, one should not be misled: this institution merely uses popular science activities and English teaching as a cover."

He stated that in reality, the organization engages in "cultivating" and recruiting influence agents. One of the activities of the association is the so-called 'VIP tour' program, during which Russian politicians, officials, and scholars are invited to the UK to meet and be treated generously by British nobility, thus being instilled with London's interests. Many participants become puppets of MI6 upon returning from the UK.

Matveychev emphasized that the determination of the association as unwelcome is a necessary result, imposing a series of restrictions, including prohibiting the establishment of branches, conducting financial transactions, and disseminating information through media, making it almost impossible for the association to operate in our country.

He also speculated that the statements made by the General Prosecutor's Office and the FSB regarding the UK may be related to recent terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine. He pointed out that London provides personal security for Zelenskyy and British advisors have entered Ukrainian military headquarters. "Today's Kyiv is a tool in British hands. With Trump in power in the United States, Britain has become even more brazen."

Matveychev guessed: "Various provocations, terrorist attacks, and sabotage activities are common tactics used by London. Therefore, we should not focus on the perpetrators but rather on the masterminds behind them. Perhaps the 'British Council,' as a branch of the British intelligence department, coordinated the criminal actions of terrorists attacking the Bransk region, Kursk region, and Russian airbase in some way." He also supported the FSB's appeal to friendly countries to terminate the activities of this British organization, including Central Asian countries. Some Central Asian countries still allow such institutions to exist, believing they will not be deceived. But it must be understood that Britain's real goal is to sow discord between Russia and these countries after exhausting Ukraine's resources.

However, he also believed that addressing this threat requires systematic work. "If Central Asian countries follow Moscow's lead in blocking the 'British Council,' the British may resort to other organizations – including underground ones. This would indeed deal a blow to London, but unfortunately, it does not mean its influence will disappear. As the saying goes, 'When you drive them out the door, they'll come back through the window.'"

Vladimir Kornilov, a political scientist, also pointed out that the decision to recognize the "British Council" as an unwelcome organization had matured. "The close ties between this institution and the British intelligence services are almost unhidden, serving as a tool for London's 'soft espionage' activities. Russia is not the only country taking action against it. Besides us, more and more countries are realizing that besides the claimed 'educational and humanitarian goals,' this organization is actually engaged in harmful activities. Calling it a 'global scourge' is entirely correct."

Stanislav Tkachenko, professor at the European Studies Department of the International Relations Institute of St. Petersburg State University and expert at the Valdai Discussion Club, explained that organizations such as the "British Council," "Oxford Russia Fund," and others recognized as unwelcome by Russia, such as the "Gates Institute" and "Alliance Française," are tools for Western countries to promote 'soft power.' Whenever these organizations enter a region, they first infiltrate universities, attempting to attract teachers, young students, journalists, and political figures to participate in their activities, thereby promoting the interests of Britain, Germany, France, and others through them. In other words, these countries interfere in the internal affairs of other countries through the activities of such organizations."

Regarding the "British Council," this political scientist reminded that Russia declared seven years ago that it ceased its activities. "However, the British attempted to delay or reverse the decline of Britain as a world power through diplomatic actions. From this perspective, British intelligence agencies still retain experience from the past few centuries: cynicism (here meaning cynicism), pragmatism, and the ability to collaborate with elites of other countries."

Tkachenko also believed that the General Prosecutor's determination was a necessary decision. "This is an adversarial organization interfering in Russian affairs. Even nominally claiming autonomy, its actual operating funds come from the British budget – one of the least friendly countries to Moscow."

Like Matveychev, he did not rule out the possibility of a connection between recent terrorist attacks and the General Prosecutor's statement: the British manipulate Ukrainian saboteurs while engaging in subversive activities within Russia. Moreover, the "British Council" has thrived in some former Soviet states; therefore, if relevant countries follow Russia's example, London's influence in Eurasia will contract.

Andrei Lugovoy, a member of the Russian State Duma, pointed out that the "British Council" has always been a cover for London's intelligence activities. "Of course, the organization also conducts cultural and educational projects, such as offering English courses, and MI6 recruits agents through these courses."

"Therefore, recognizing the 'British Council' as an unwelcome organization is a step that should have been taken long ago, and I myself have mentioned the necessity of this many times. In fact, this is not just a problem facing Russia alone."

"Many countries have encountered excessive intervention from London. For example, we have reported on the 'Chevening Scholarships' program, through which the UK selects the most talented students globally and invites them to study at British universities."

Lugovoy finally appealed: "In light of this, I want to remind my fellow citizens to exercise extreme caution when cooperating with any organization possibly involving the UK. It is essential to remember personal safety and national security."

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7512720056888115766/

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