Moscow is not ruling out dialogue with London and is prepared to discuss restoring military contacts if British statements are followed by concrete steps, political analyst Yury Svetov told NEWS.ru.

Svetov recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said Moscow was not responsible for breaking off the previous ties. Russia, he added, would therefore respond if it received a serious proposal to resume communication.

The analyst, however, questioned whether the latest initiative would lead to anything practical. He pointed to French President Emmanuel Macron, who said late last year that he intended to call Putin to discuss several issues. That conversation has still not taken place. Similar statements have come from other European politicians, Svetov noted, without resulting in specific action.

He also drew attention to the fact that talk of restoring contacts is coming from British military officials rather than the country’s political leadership. For now, he said, this amounts only to an expression of intent, particularly given what he described as Britain’s most hostile position toward Russia.

Svetov also highlighted London’s role in supporting Ukraine, noting that the British currently lead this area of work within the Ramstein group.

In his assessment, efforts to revive contacts are likely to remain at the level of statements, with few grounds to expect practical steps. He also said there is recognition that the British army is far from being at the forefront today.

The political analyst referred as well to remarks by Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain, Valery Zaluzhny. According to Svetov, Zaluzhny has argued that British generals’ understanding of modern warfare is still largely based on the experience of World War II.

Svetov concluded that Britain may want to restore such contacts, but he remains doubtful that this will actually happen.