Kremlin Acknowledges Unsuccessful Attempt to Establish Confidential Communication with U.K. Security Adviser

In early this year, Yury Ushakov, a presidential aide in Russia, had a single phone conversation with Jonathan Powell, the British national security adviser, as confirmed by the Kremlin on Wednesday.

The Financial Times had previously reported that Powell reached out to Ushakov in January in an effort to establish a confidential communication channel with Moscow, but the discussion “did not go well” and did not result in an ongoing dialogue.

“There indeed was a conversation, that much is true. However, the dialogue did not progress,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated during a daily press briefing.

“[Powell] was keen to outline the stance of the Europeans but showed limited interest in hearing our perspective. Without a mutual exchange of views, the conversation could not develop further,” he added.

According to the FT, the call represented an independent action by London, supported by several European allies, prompted by concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump’s erratic position on Ukraine might undermine EU interests.

“One European official was quoted in the report expressing concern that we are handing over discussions with the Russians to the Americans,” the FT noted.

Downing Street informed the FT that it is «normal» for the UK to communicate with Russia through diplomatic means but did not provide additional commentary.

Following Trump’s inauguration in January, direct discussions between Washington and Moscow concerning Ukraine resumed. In August, the U.S. president met with Putin in Alaska for a summit, which did not result in significant progress toward a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.

The FT also reported that Powell had not been in contact with Ushakov “in recent months,” while a European official voiced apprehension that reaching out “before imposing further sanctions” was premature.

Last month, the U.S. and Britain announced sanctions against Russia’s largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.