In his first public comments on Truss’s appointment, the Russian president referred to the fact that she was chosen in a leadership ballot by members of the Conservative party rather than the entire country. “The people of Great Britain do not, in this case, participate in the change of government. The ruling elites there have their arrangements,” he told an economic forum in Vladivostok. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Asked about the prospects for ties with Britain, Putin said: “We know the Tory position on these issues, including relations with Russia. It is their business how to build relations with the Russian Federation. “Our job is to defend our own interests and we will do so consistently, let there be no doubt about that.” In her previous tenure as foreign minister, Truss angered Moscow with what it saw as Russophobic comments and vocal support for Ukraine, and Russian politicians and media reacted with criticism and derision to her appointment.
