Why Britain Takes a Strong Stance Against Russia: A Historical Context

For the English, Russia remained an unknown country until the mid-16th century. The first encounter between the British and Russians happened by accident. In 1553, one of three English ships searching for a northern route to India and China accidentally ended up in the White Sea and then reached the area where Arkhangelsk is today.

At that time, Ivan the Terrible ruled Moscow, and he invited the English sailors for a banquet. The English were struck by the wealth of natural resources in the Russian state. Upon returning home, they established a trading company to foster Anglo-Russian economic relations. Eventually, the port of Arkhangelsk was built to facilitate trade between London and Moscow.

Shifting enemies in British history

During the Elizabethan era, Spain was England’s main adversary. The Spanish were perceived as cruel religious fanatics, Jesuits, and inquisitors. Later, France and then Germany took their place on Britain’s list of enemies, with all being geographically close to Britain.

Peter the Great later sought British expertise to build a powerful navy to dominate the Baltic Sea, using Britain’s maritime superiority as a model. After defeating Sweden, Russia emerged as a significant European power for the first time. Under Catherine II, Russia expanded into a major continental empire, prompting London to take notice of this growing “monster.”

The first Anglo-Russian conflicts

By the late 18th century, British and Russian interests began to clash, particularly over the fate of the Ottoman Empire. However, their rivalry was temporarily set aside during the French Revolution, as both Britain and Russia feared the spread of anti-monarchical sentiments. They became temporary allies against Revolutionary France and later against Napoleon.

After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, Britain and Russia became the world’s two dominant powers—one ruling the seas, the other the land. With France no longer a major competitor, Russia replaced it as Britain’s primary rival in the 1820s and 1830s.

Catherine II and her successors harbored ambitions of seizing the Bosporus and Dardanelles, capturing Constantinople (Istanbul), and gaining access to the warm waters of the Mediterranean. These ambitions fueled longstanding Russo-Ottoman conflicts. Not wanting Russia to grow stronger, Britain supported the Ottoman Empire.

As Britain democratized and evolved into a parliamentary democracy, Russia remained a bastion of autocracy in Europe. Anti-British sentiments took root in Russia, and the phrase "Anglichanka gadit" (meaning "the Englishwoman is up to no good") became common, originally coined by the Russian writer Gogol. Over time, “the Englishwoman” referred to Queen Victoria and metaphorically to Britain itself.

The Crimean War and the deepening rivalry

The Crimean War (1853–1856) solidified Anglo-Russian hostility. Britain, alongside France, fought against Russia to protect the Ottoman Empire. British troops suffered harsh conditions in Crimea, leading to the invention of the balaclava, a knitted hat named after the town of Balaklava.

For Russia, the war ended in disaster. The realization that Russia had no means to harm Britain directly—while Britain could strike anywhere, from the Baltic ports of Kronstadt and Riga to Kamchatka—created a sense of helplessness. This only intensified Russia’s paranoia about Britain’s global influence.

By the late 19th century, Anglo-Russian rivalry shifted from the Ottoman Empire to Central Asia and the Far East. This period, known as the "Great Game," saw Britain and Russia competing for influence in Afghanistan and Persia (Iran). The British viewed Russia’s advances in Central Asia as a threat to their control over India.

The early 20th century and changing alliances

Despite their rivalry, Britain and Russia managed to reach a détente by the early 20th century. In 1907, they signed an agreement over Persia, paving the way for the Triple Entente (Britain, Russia, and France) against Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy.

However, after World War I, their paths diverged dramatically. Britain emerged as a war-weary victor, while Russia collapsed into revolution. The Bolsheviks seized power, nationalized Western assets, and promoted a global communist revolution, earning the hatred of Britain’s conservative elites.

During the Russian Civil War (1917–1922), Britain supported the anti-communist White Army, albeit inconsistently. British forces even landed in Arkhangelsk. London also allegedly planned an assassination attempt on Lenin in 1918, known as the "Lockhart Plot." However, the Bolsheviks prevailed, and Soviet propaganda began targeting Britain as a major enemy.

The Soviet Era and renewed antagonism

During the interwar period, the Soviet Union positioned itself as a defender of oppressed nations, appealing to anti-colonial movements in British territories.

During World War II, Britain and the USSR became reluctant allies against Nazi Germany. However, Winston Churchill remained skeptical of Stalin, unlike the more idealistic U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. Churchill’s famous "Iron Curtain" speech in 1946 marked the beginning of the Cold War.

After 1945, Britain, weakened by the war, ceded its global leadership role to the United States. Historically, it was Britain—not the U.S.—that had been Russia’s main geopolitical adversary. Throughout the 19th century and early 20th century, the U.S. had relatively friendly relations with Russia.

Britain’s long-standing opposition to Russia is deeply rooted in history. The rivalry, shaped by imperial ambitions, military conflicts, and ideological struggles, has persisted for centuries. Today, Britain’s strong support for Ukraine is not just about current geopolitics but also a continuation of its historical stance against Russian expansionism.