UK suspends military co-operation with Russia over Ukraine crisis

LONDON – British Foreign Secretary William Hague says the U.K. is suspending military co-operation with Russia in light of the crisis over Ukraine.

Speaking shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty to annex Crimea from neighbouring Ukraine, Hague told British lawmakers on Tuesday that it is regrettable that Putin is choosing a path of isolation in the annexation of Crimea and denying Russian and Crimean citizens of a partnership with the international community.

Hague said the U.K. is suspending military export licenses to Russia, has cancelled naval exercises and suspended a proposed Royal Navy ship visit to Russia.

He said this is not the relationship Britain wants with Russia, but one it is being forced to have.