[1andrew1]

Kremlin refuses to reschedule Boris Johnson’s Ukraine call with Putin

PM frustrated in diplomatic ambitions after he had to cancel original call because of partygate statement

Boris Johnson’s efforts to present himself as an important diplomatic player in the Ukraine crisis have been struck a blow after the Kremlin refused to reschedule a call with Vladimir Putin that the prime minister had been forced to cancel on Monday.

The call was cancelled so Johnson could make a statement to MPs in parliament over Downing Street parties during lockdown.

No 10 had said it intended the call, previously set for Monday afternoon, to go ahead on Tuesday but the Kremlin rejected the request.

It is not clear if the call has been delayed because of genuine scheduling issues or is a calculated snub by Moscow to highlight Britain’s irrelevance, and Johnson’s weakness.

The Kremlin said a call could take place at a future date.

Instead of speaking with the Russian president on Monday, Johnson had to spend two hours answering MPs’ questions over his role in a succession of Downing Street gatherings held during lockdown.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...aine-diplomacy