The question whether or not the British Council is beneficial for Russia is completely irrelevant. The fact is that Brithish Council is NOT a part of British Embassy or Consulate, it is non-departanmental public body, i.e. it's a separate entity. Therefore it should not work in Russia on the same legal basis as foreign Embassy or Consulate at least not until it's relationship to them and it's appropriate legal status is clarified.
And Moscow never stated that it wants British Council to shut down completely, Russia merely wants it to properly register as NCO and operate according to Russian law. And again, it is completely irrelevant wether or not this demand is made out of some nefarious intent on part of Kremlin. The fact is that such demand is perfectly legitimate - any country has undeniable right to enforce it's law on it's territory. And Britain's blunt refusal to do so is nothing more but deliberate attempt to provoke large-scale scandal and denigrate Russian authorities

Muslim, Mosow, Russia

Nadya believes Russians do not want anything to do with England.
So why are Russian businessmen stuffing their children into English independent boarding schools? And buying up expensive English houses and spending vast sums of money in England's capital city?

Tricia, Sussex, uk

Nadya, I think you need to take a few deep breaths and think about what you're implying.

The British Council should hardly be considered the most compelling symbol of British imperialism, but whatever the merits of a bunch of librarians and schools teachers as tools of imperialistic cultural primacy, it was, afterall, the Russians who picked the fight, not the other way round.

Furthermore, if Russian's don't like the council, they could have had it shut years ago by simply not using it. If there wasn't a demand for its services, the its budget would surely have been reallocated. But, of course, it is clear that the British Council does actually provide a number of services both hugely popular and of great benefit to Russian people, just as, I'm sure, the Russian equivalent does in the UK.

It seems this point gets lost in the sea of risible jingoism emminating from both sides. It does apear, though, that somebody is determinted to cut off their nose to spite their face.

Andrew, Moscow,

Nadya, I am sure you have some valid points to make but by passing your comments through an internet translating service your ideas kind of loose some of their original focus. I think in all honesty you, and others like you, could really benefit from some of the services offered by the British Council, at least with their help some of the points you are trying to make here could be understood by the audience you are attempting to communicate with.

Rikki Ferguson, Moscow,

I address to all Westerners. Understand, that the British Advice - a mix of recruiting item with a propaganda shop and about it all already know in Russia. By means of such offices England clings to the imperial past, trying to distribute the influence through introduction of English outlook. To correct position, England should refuse symbols of the imperial past, and to the British Advice to collect suitcases and to return to London, and to work, work...
To Russians your advice and reproaches, you for us - not an example are already uninteresting! Understand the problems and do not climb to Russia! We do not climb to you advice - you do not climb to us! Your false antiRussian propagation has bothered all in Russia!

Nadya, Samara, Russia