In the years leading up to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, diplomats lost their authority, their role reduced to echoing the Kremlin's aggressive rhetoric.

BBC Russian asks former diplomats, as well as ex-Kremlin and White House insiders, how Russian diplomacy broke down.

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[–] ksynwa@lemmygrad.ml 30 points 2 years ago (25 children)

It might be hard to imagine now, but Mr Putin himself told the BBC back in 2000 that "Russia is ready to co-operate with Nato... right up to joining the alliance".

"I cannot imagine my country isolated from Europe," he added.

Back then, early in his presidency, Mr Putin was eager to build ties with the West, a former senior Kremlin official told the BBC.

Gotta wonder how Russia never ended up being able to NATO despite this.

[–] Deceptichum@kbin.social 14 points 2 years ago (4 children)

It’s simple, they never actually asked to join.

[–] severien@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Russia / Putin didn't want to follow standard procedure, feeling entitled for a special treatment.

[–] Piye@lemmygrad.ml -2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Like when the US illegally invades Iraq and murders millions of civilians against UN orders

[–] severien@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Lol, what a fine example of whataboutism. We're talking about a procedure to enter NATO and you whatabout Iraq. How about we talk about the crimes of Ivan the Terrible instead?

[–] theotherone@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago

I’m starting to think there are Russian shills ITT.

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