English language lessons, Mark. Are they worried that England will beat Ukraine and Belarus in World Cup qualifying once Capello gets started?

Tony Parker, Pratts Bottom,

Britain's not perfect but at least you can post anti-British comments in a British paper. Try posting an anti-Russian one in Putinland.
Tam R. Lane, Liverpool, England
Well said. Nobody can deny the fact that the British press is free, balanced, objective and unbiased. Unlike Russian media which have succumbed to state control at large, the British media stick to their traditional fair reporting. We, in Ukraine, also enjoy the benefits of freedom of speech which is one of cornerstones of liberal democracy and citizen rights. As for the British Council activities in Eastern Europe, this organisation makes a lot of good work promoting English language and culture in non-English environment. This is essential in globalized world where English dominates all walks of life. The paranoidal behaviour of Putinists partly confirms
old-traditioned Russian narcistic chauvinism (racism) when only Russian language is lingua franca apriori. Besides it attests Putin's ignorance.

PASIONARIJ, LVIV (LEMBERG), UKRAINE

What arrogance for the BC to say that it will not shut down. What an insult! They should be grateful they were allowed to open their offices there in the first place. Who are they to demand?
They charged me around £300 to supervise my child in sitting for a GCSE exam in Russian. Sheer profiteering. and I bet they pay their staff the very least they can get away with.
The Brits will have to learn that Russia will not rest until BB is returned, and why not? The Russians have been treated shabbily and the Brits have simply ignored this.
And what about that meddlesome ambassador going around supporting opposition parties. Have we seen the Russian ambassador in London visiting the BNP?

alice, Hove,

At least Mr Putin looks after the interests of his country and people, and is not just a sycophant to America, like Blair was and Brown ...sorry Bean, is.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

To me all this is so logical. UK has became little player ,who is traying to play big with support of dying Imperia of USA,while Russia is slowley taking control of HOW THIS WORLD SHOULD BE RULLED, and unfortunatly people(of Brittan) are so blind and lgnorant to see real picture of next World Order.Russia is much bigger, stronger and most importantly ritcher then UK so thay are in position to do whatever thay think is good for tham regadles what anybody thinks.

Mark, london, england

"Don't be naive. Do you really think this agency is here for teaching English?


Pavel, Rostov, Russia"

When will the cynicism (which is so absurdly over the top it is in itself naive) end?!! I've worked in a British Council. You couldn't meet a more genuine bunch of sandle wearing lefties who wouldn't hurt a fly even if it were about to enject them with malaria if you visited Stonehenge for the summer solstaice!!

The rampant nationalism that is sweeping young Russians (similar to here in China) is a very sad development.

Dave, Beijing, China

Russia is big player and UK is not a big deal anymore,so they can do whatever thay think is good for tham.

Mark, london, england

I fail to understand how the British Government is so deeply involved in the killing of a third rate goon Litvinenko. He was basically hit man for the Russian Mafia in Europe and living a life of luxury with no apparent job. Litvinenko was also a KGB Colonel, you only become a Colonel in KGB for doing the most heinous crimes. We should have told the Russians to keep their gangsters in Russia and end this stupid escalation of tension.

Kathy Riddell, Manchester, UK

My experience of the British council is that it is not "very active" organization, unless there are some really "exciting activities" going on behind the scenes. Normally "slumbering" atmosphere surrounds BC, some books to borrow, some seminars to attend, nothing to point out at the presumably subversive sipirit lurking behind the bookshelves. It's sad if BC will be closed, a sure sign of tightening the rules. What makes me sad is that many people become genuinely infected with agression towards foriegn cultures, which is somehow promoted by mass media or set of pseudo patriotic values. Nowadays is a sad time to live in russia.

Pam, St.Petersburg,

I believe it is a shame that the British Council has had to close, however the problem was exacebated by the British Council and the Embassy themselves who embarked on a mass campaign of opening offices without any legal basis. When their managers in the regions received calls from the tax office regarding their status, what did they do but write to them saying we 'are the cultural wing of the British Embassy if you have any requests please write to us." No wonder they were raided. Could you imagine a foreign organsation working in the UK that didn't pay tax. The BC charged the most for its lessons out of all language schools in Russia.
I believe that poor management was a key problem and also a pompous attitude that led to good people losing their jobs.

DC, Moscow, Russia

Long live Mr. Putin. He is the best example of a great leader. His love for his country and people is paramount. And leaders all over the world emulate his thinking.
Compared to our leaders, puppets of big corporations, power hungry megalomaniacs. Killing and terrorizing their own people. Our democracy is a Police State?
I hope he remains in power for a long long time. He is the modern gauge for leadership.

Baku Shimabukuro, SF, USA

BIG FISH EAT SMALL!

Mark, london, england

Big player like Russia does not even think what small player like UK think about what their do.They are biger,stronger and more importantly ritcher.This is real New World Order!

Mark, london, england

Seems to me Putin is developing a wicked sense of humour, flexing his muscles like this; of course, Russia hasn't been able to do so for a while, so I see the temptation. Difficult to detect humour under that dead-pan mask of his, but I am sure it is there.

Howard, Johannesburg, RSA

Britain's government and the British media - are constantly finding fault and lecturing the Russians on how they think Russia ought to be run to the point where the British government and media are quite unnecessarily paranoid. Trying to shove British notions of political correctness down another nation's throats is not going to be received well in any part of the world.

If I were asked which of the two - Russia or Britain - is the more likely to be heading towards social breakdown and instability, I would reluctantly have to say that it seems to be Britain.

I think it's not all that surprising that Russia feels it doesn't need the influence of the British Council.

Herbert Thornton, Victoria, Canada

Russia has not changed. Putin's just another Tzar, another enemy of democracy. Czechoslovakia '68...East Berlin '61...Hungary '56....Latvia, Estonia, LIthuania '40.....siding with Hitler against Poland '39.....purges of the '30's.......shooting peaceful demonstrators in 1905.......slavery up 1861.......

Of course the British Council is there to further the Interests of the UK. But it takes a cynical opportunist like Tzar Putin to pretend that it is anti-Russian as a smokescreen to cover his ruthless suppression of any hint of dissent. And it takes a poor sort of minion - a serf in all but name - to tow his foul line.

Britain's not perfect but at least, my Russian friends, you can post anti-British comments in a British paper. Try posting an anti-Russian one in Putinland. Go on. I dare you.

Tam R. Lane, Liverpool, England

Well done President Putin. He has recognised that the British Council is a fraudulent organisation masquerading in different guises. Amongst these it engages in commercial activities with very considerable competitive advantages over genuine private companies whilst hiding behind the facade of the Foreign Office. It is time the functions of the BC were clarified and redefined or the organisation should be scrapped.

Richard, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Swap Berezovski for Lugovoy and make friends again,that is the way the English used to do it.True Mr B. would probably take those notorious billions with him, but with the major banks losing billions on sub-prime and the government investing billions more trying to rescue them,something or anything,who is going to notice?Win win situation .

Keith Pirelli, Rio De Janeiro,

The British Council may not be perfect, but who is? Its programmes are certainly appreciated by the (generally) curious and well-educated Russian public. Surely, this must be a better use of resources than financing private megalith constructions in the centre of Moscow? The Soviet mentality seems to persist: ordinary people always the underdog. Perhaps we could learn a thing or two from the Brits... A word to Andreas - I would love to see a UK university raking in millions in pure profit!! Could it be that my research colleagues enjoy feigning near-poverty?

Elena, London,

How long is this going to continue for? We expel their diplomats, so they close down our councils in their own country, so we complain some more, so they continue to reject our demand. Are we going to continue this pattern until there is nothing left to do but declare war?! Lets be grateful that it will never succumb to that. So we will realise that there is nothing we can do and will soon forget about it and focus on one of the many other problems we are facing at the moment.

Ash, Sheffield,

I think the article does not follow some PC rules which are common for cultural democratic countries the Britain pretends to be. I would like to notice it is not particularly politely to give important materials not hearing out the contrary opinion. The Foreign Office has own position at the affair; however probably Russian authorities have to say also.

Alexey, Auckland, New Zealand

All I can say is I'm glad to be across the Atlantic. I would not want this Russia as my neighbor, and am certainly glad their hands are not on my energy spigot. Good luck...

Stephen, Maryland, USA

In protest I have stopped eating Russian Salads, that will teach um.

Ajer, Reading, UK

The fact that half-wits like zvonko m, vladimir zhirinovsky and suspected murderers like andre lugovoy will support this move makes me comfortable in my opposition to it. Interesting that no opinions here emanate from Russia itself. Of course, I forgot, your not allowed have opinions over there are you. You might end up in a prison, or irradiated to death in a London hospital, or in exile in fear of your life.

Michael Patterson, Birmingham, UK

''Don't be naive. Do you really think this agency is here for teaching English?''

Yes I do! What do you think they do? English is an international language and people want to learn it.

All of these brash Russians coming out of the cupboard... Lets get the core of the matter. Putin can appeal to the sort of mindless nationalists who get excited by his posturing all he wants (threatening to close some language schools, all praise our mighty leader). It doesn't change Russia's status as a second rate power hobbled by a disastrous socialist legacy with delusions of grandeur.

Enjoy your little power trip, let me know when the real world kicks in again.

Stephen, London, Great Britain

"At least Russians pilots could afford to go to bed and snuggle up to a bottle of vodka " Karl, London, England ------------- If this is an example of British Culture I'm not surprised Russian Gov. wants to close the British Council.

Elena, Beds,

The Russians will never change, well maybe they might but it will take a hundred years for them to learn to live by the norms of a civilised society; that is respect for the rule of law, true democracy, transparency, freedom of speech, personal freedom, freedom from personal persecution, no public sector corruption et al.

The UK might not get it right everytime but goodness it is light years in front of these people.

I just do not know why we bother with them.

And all I can say is god help Europe if we are going to have to depend on this grubby crew for our future energy needs! I guess we only have ourselves to blame when they threaten to turn off the tap when it suits irrespective of "binding contracts or treaties" - Clearly such things mean little to them.

David, London, UK

This is all part on the game over Serbia. We should be backing Serbia not the Albanians. Russia is getting ready to fight the Muslims, shame on Britain. At least 8000 russian troops have landed in Serbia in the last few days.

rupert schwab, budapest, hungary

Russians do not need the british council to enrich their culture, it is completely the other way round. Anyway, this is a tiny move from Russia to show Britain who needs who, and if the UK attempts to drag it longer, they will be soon trying to cover up a great humilating defeat. I can already hear the multimillion profit making UK universities pressing the goverment to go easy with Russia and that will only be the start. In which world a sensible UK would risk its relationship with Putin's Russia?
What if the Russian goverment asks for Blair to be handed over to them for the dead Russian citizens as a result of the war in Iraq. Would they sent him? (Geneva Convention, UN law, International law).
And nothing has, to date, been proved against the russian sevices.

Andreas, london, UK

Don't be naive. Do you really think this agency is here for teaching English?

Pavel, Rostov, Russia

It started with Berezovski. Why Britain did not want to give him up? Is it becauise of his billions? Russia was asking to have him for many years and Britain alwyas refused, I dont think it s right. Moreover, many of Chechenian terrorists use to hide in UK - why??

Inessa Guterman, St Julians, Malta

Don't call your teddybear Vladimir !!! I remember Aeroflot when the air hostesses would rather spit at you than serve coffee. At least Russians pilots could afford to go to bed and snuggle up to a bottle of vodka - a luxury this Englishmen envies "Back in the USSR, don't know how lucky you are".. Oh sorry I thought you said don't call you teddybear Vladivar.

Karl, London, England

I am absolutely ashamed by the posts of the two compatriots of mine, Victor and zvonko m. here and detest them. Not just were they caused by a brainwash of the propaganda and sheer ignorance coupled with lack of respect in the post from USA, they also point out a massive problem in the Russian society. This problem is a simple and disturbing one: the population is falling into the trap of ignorance and hysteria, when it no longer understands what it wants to achieve in the future, but only looks for the external causes of its self-imposed troubles. The number of people longing for a truly stable and socially healthy life in a democracy is miniscule. Others simply do not want to understand that each piece of democratic “garbage of the society” is a true jewel in its crown for the sheer reason that it show the diversity of thought and the beauty of an individual.

Dmitry, Mosow, London,

"ignorant brits"? Rather rich coming from an american.

Gary, bristol, uk

British Council is no saint .. What it does is basically to con the fee-paying foreign students into UK so as to supplement university income and subsidise UK students. Nothing wroing with that .. obviously..

Hans Greifsatz, Edinburgh,

All these international foundations and funds in Russia are welcome provided they actually ensure what they had claimed
they came for.
But unforturenately they play a miserable role in the country fulfilling other duties... You know what these guys are doing in Russia? They feed Kasparov, Limonov and other garbage of the society. And etc.,etc.

Victor, Moscow, Russia

I hope this is just the beginning.Russia has nothing to learn from you ignorant english.

zvonko m., warren, usa

Don't call your teddybear Vladimir !!!

Nigel Connor, Cocures, France

Mr.putin will live in Kremlin,and he still at the heart of power.The bad relations between Moscow and london is only the face,but the fact is that Mr.putin is not happy.The next president of Russia says that Mr.putin will be the next Prime minister .that is to say,he still is the head of his country.

duweife, Russia,

The closure of British Council premises across Russia will be a great loss not just to curious locals, but also to homesick ex-pats. I spent eight months as a student in St Petersburg in 2000/01, and regularly visited the Council. Its feeling of Britishness provided great comfort to me in an alien land. It also proved a source of fascination to my young Russian friends, eager to learn more about cultures beyond their own. I would urge our authorities to fight, or even defy this absurd order - it continues a pattern of events that I fear will ultimately give birth to another generation of unemancipated Russians. Poor Mother Russia deserves better.

Robin Swithinbank, London,

Russia has always been interested in cooperation with Britain, in developemnet of Russian-British cultural relationship. It is always better to be friends. But, when it comes to international relationships, there must be clear legal basis for them, because these relationships must never contradict the national and international laws (e.g. The Viena Convention 1963). New Russian-British Agreement is strongly needed and I hope with all my heart that politicians from both parties will do their best to achieve it for the sake of the interests of our peoples, first of all.

Evgenia Volodina, Ã…rhus, Denmark