Following Liz Truss’ resignation as prime minister, Russia made one more jab at her, calling her a “disgrace” of a leader who would be remembered for her “catastrophic illiteracy,” as international leaders responded to the news.
According to Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, “Britain has never had such a disgrace of a prime minister.”
“The queen’s funeral shortly after her meeting with Liz Truss and the disastrous illiteracy will be remembered,” the king said.
The accusation of illiteracy seems to be in reference to Truss’s trip to Moscow in February, just before Russia attacked Ukraine, when he was serving as the British Foreign Minister.
She seemed to mistake two districts of Russia for Ukraine at a meeting with Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s seasoned foreign minister, which led to significant ridicule in Russian media.
For years, there have been deteriorating relations between Moscow and London over topics like the Salisbury poisoning of a former Russian agent in 2018. Since Moscow’s incursion in Ukraine, they have fallen to historic lows.
Russia views the UK as one of the most hostile Western nations, yet it is one of Kyiv’s most ardent backers.
Only 44 days after being appointed, Truss announced her resignation on Thursday. Her Conservative Party is poised to hold a leadership race in the coming week.
Her economic plan, which sent shockwaves across the financial markets and was all but abandoned, crashed Truss’s administration.
As word of Truss’s historic resignation as prime minister spread throughout the globe, other foreign leaders swiftly responded.
The White House reaffirmed that the US and Britain would maintain their strong ties while French President Emmanuel Macron called for a speedy restoration to stability in the UK.
Michael Martin, the prime minister of Ireland, expressed his hope that Truss’s replacement will be chosen promptly to maintain stability.
When he arrived to an EU meeting, Macron said he would not discuss British internal politics but added: “All I desire is for Great Britain to soon achieve political stability.”
As Britain negotiated its withdrawal from the European Union, relations between Paris and London have often been tense. These tensions threatened to worsen as Truss courted the ardently pro-Brexit side of her party.
The famous quote from Truss during her run for Conservative Party leader and subsequent appointment as prime minister was that “the verdict is out” on whether the French president was an ally or adversary of Britain.
However, Truss’ decision to participate in the first meeting of the European Political Community, which was sparked by Macron, in Prague, offered some indications of a prospective reunion on strategic concerns.
As Macron arrived at the EU conference in Brussels, news of Truss’ resignation surfaced, and he was questioned by media about it. He waved and gave the thumbs up to the cameras as he arrived.
During Truss’ short tenure in office, Macron claimed he spoke with her on the phone often and was happy to meet her in Prague.
He emphasized the background of the conflict in Ukraine and the energy price situation, saying, “I want to say that France, as a country and people who are friends of the British people, desires them above all stability.”
However, I must admit that it always makes me sad to see a friend go in this manner, and I would want to express my hope for a speedy restoration of stability.
To Truss’s “friend or foe” remarks in August, Mr. Macron responded angrily.
The United Kingdom is a friendly country, regardless of its leaders, and sometimes in spite of its leaders, Mr. Macron remarked at the time in an overt swipe.
It’s never a good idea to lose your bearings in life, Mr. Macron added when questioned more about Ms. Truss’s apparent attack.
This is how I would respond if someone had asked me if I was a supporter or opponent of Liz Truss: “Whoever becomes the future leader of Great Britain, I won’t ask myself any questions about them personally.”
We live in a complex globe, and you know that Great Britain is friends with France.
We have an increasing number of liberal governments, authoritarian democracies, and other imbalance-causing forces. If we are unable to determine whether the French and British people are allies or enemies—and the word “foes” is not neutral—then we are in for major issues.
“So certainly, I can declare with confidence that the British people and country are our friends. In August, he declared, “The United Kingdom, strong and allied, regardless of its leaders, and sometimes in spite of and beyond its leaders, or despite of the little errors they may make in their speeches.”
Following Truss’ resignation, US President Biden promised to maintain tight ties with Britain on Thursday.
According to a statement from Biden, “I congratulate Prime Minister Liz Truss for her collaboration on a number of issues, including holding Russia responsible for its attack against Ukraine.”
As we work together to address the international difficulties our countries confront, “We will maintain our strong collaboration with the UK government.”
Ron Klain, the chief of staff for the White House, said something similar before.
Klain said in a televised interview with MSNBC that “our nation has always had a special connection with the United Kingdom without regard to the party affiliation of our president or the politics of their prime minister.” “That will continue regardless of who the UK chooses as their next prime minister,”
Klain listed a number of common reasons, such as Russia’s actions in Ukraine, as ones where the two longtime friends will remain together.
Whoever Prime Minister Truss’ successor will be, “We’re going to work very, very closely with them,” he said.
The Prime Minister of Ireland, Martin, stated: “I believe stability is extremely essential, and we would want to see the UK system in a position to have a successor appointed as fast as possible… at these times when a big conflict is going on the continent in Europe.”
Following Liz Truss’ departure as prime minister, Donohoe stated he is eager to maintain Ireland’s good connection with the UK.
The UK government has reiterated its commitment to fiscal and economic norms, according to Ireland’s finance minister. “The political and economic stability of the United Kingdom is a critical component in the economic prospects of Ireland and indeed of Europe,” he said.
Even throughout the difficult and trying times of the Brexit process, Ireland has always been a staunch ally of the United Kingdom and of the British government.
“We always stressed the importance of that strong connection, and we sincerely look forward to maintaining that great friendship and cooperation with the incoming prime minister of the United Kingdom in the period ahead.”
The sixth British prime minister he has worked with since he took office in 2010 will be Truss’s replacement, according to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who voiced his “annoyance” that she had departed the position.
I had an excellent relationship with her, therefore I feel bad for her (…) We came to a lot of mutually beneficial conclusions, and I look forward to working with my new colleague, who will be, I think, the fifth person.
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