Russia bans British Council, accuses it of promoting ‘British influence’

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office on Thursday declared the British Council, a UK-based cultural and educational institution, an “undesirable organization,” accusing it of threatening national security and spreading foreign influence under the guise of soft diplomacy.

According to the official statement, the British Council operates in close alignment with the UK government’s foreign policy agenda and is funded by its Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

“Its declared independence is a cover,” the statement claimed, alleging that the organization promotes British values and long-term interests in the fields of education, culture, and youth engagement.

Russian authorities further accused the group of supporting the LGBT movement, which is outlawed in Russia, and of trying to “discredit the domestic and foreign policy of the Russian Federation.”

The statement said the council’s programs target younger generations and include partnerships with alumni of the UK government’s Chevening scholarship.

Officials also claimed the British Council is part of a consortium aiming to undermine Russian identity in the former Soviet republics and foster anti-Russian sentiment, particularly in the Baltic region.

The British Council began operations in Russia in 1992 but had previously faced pressure and suspensions, especially after the 2018 diplomatic crisis over the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergey Skripal in the UK.