91福利社

The British and Russian Governments are engaged in a bitter diplomatic brawl. Moscow has shut down British cultural centres, while in London the Foreign Secretary accused the Russian government of blatant intimidation, unworthy of a great nation. All this as Russia prepares for presidential elections which Vladimir Putin will orchestrate but not contest. Andrei Illarionov was, until two years ago, Putin's chief economic adviser. Stephen Sackur asks him what the west should do about Russia.