Most well-read people understand that Russia is hardly a model of democracy, that the legal system is unreliable, and that the country is run by a coalition of politicians and a criminal oligarchy. Nor is anyone unaware that Russia was quite unhelpful at the UN before the war.
I think Garry's piece is quite good in describing what's wrong with Russia and why we should be very cautious in our dealings with them. It's just that it seems to me that we are being cautious, diplomatic happy-faces nothwithstanding.
It's just that it seems to me that we are being cautious, diplomatic happy-faces nothwithstanding.
Actually, I think he makes the point that we have been cautious to the point of timidity that brings its own consequences and should be more aggressive in pressing our positions with Moscow.