The Demise of Russian Diplomacy: Threats, Insults, and Kremlin 'Robots'
Russian diplomacy has drastically changed under President Putin, with diplomats losing their authority and becoming mere mouthpieces for the Kremlin's aggressive rhetoric. Former diplomats and insiders reveal how Russian diplomacy broke down, citing incidents of diplomats using undiplomatic language and echoing Putin's anti-Western views. As Putin became more powerful, he disregarded the advice of diplomats and pursued his own agenda. The collapse of relations with the West and the invasion of Ukraine further diminished the influence of Russian diplomats. Diplomacy has become a spectacle, with spokesperson Maria Zakharova resorting to insults and theatrics. Dialogue and negotiations to end the war in Ukraine seem unlikely, as Russia relies on military power and geo-economic influence rather than diplomacy. Resigning from the foreign service is not an option for many diplomats, who feel trapped in their positions.