Diplomacy vs Brinkmanship

Abstract

For an observer who has enough time and stamina to follow the political and diplomatic marathon launched by Russia’s December initiative on security guarantees, the situation is close to surreal. On the one hand, there have been multiple signs that significant achievements and agreements on the diplomatic path are possible. However, this dimension is almost eclipsed in the eyes of the general public by the dimension of vicious propaganda and a ratchet effect of muscle flexing on all sides.