"Putin's Vision: A World of Power and Influence"

A report by BBC News Russia explores the deterioration of Moscow's diplomacy apparatus, revealing how Russian diplomats increasingly seek to please Putin as he becomes more convinced of the power of brute force and the irrelevance of diplomacy. The report highlights the transformation of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who changed along with Putin, as well as the shift in Moscow's language on foreign policy. The article also discusses the failure of attempts to improve relations between Russia and the West, with Putin's conviction that he doesn't need diplomats growing stronger over the years. The report concludes that diplomacy is unlikely to stop the war in Ukraine, as the contradictions between Russia, Ukraine, and the West are too great, and there are no grounds for behind-the-scenes negotiations.