Sergey Lavrov photo: Russian Foreign Ministry / Flickr / CC by-NC-SA 2.0 The loud statement of Sergei Lavrov that Russia could break relations with the European Union, was perceived as news, although he already talked about it. Now the discussion has become aggravated due to an unsuccessful visit to Moscow, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Boar. The agenda of his visit clearly demonstrated the difference in how Moscow and Brussels are now perceiving relations with each other.

Sergey Lavrov. Photo: Foreign Ministry of Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made a very tough statement: Russia can stop the dialogue with the European Union. Perhaps, the minister Lavrov had not yet performed, and what provoked him to these words, I do not know - perhaps a long conversation with Josep Borrere, the head of European diplomacy. Their conversation was apparently unconstructive.

The Russian president's remark reminded him of his recent American counterpart. The most striking quote from this year’s Valdai Forum belongs to Vladimir Putin: “Even 50 years ago, Leningrad street taught me one rule: if a fight is inevitable, you must strike first.” Fans of psychoanalysis have perked up - they have long been trying to explain the peculiarities of our foreign policy with that very street.

Photo REUTERS/Jason Reed The Russian president's remark reminded him of his recent American counterpart The most striking quote from this year’s Valdai Forum belongs to Vladimir Putin: “Even 50 years ago, Leningrad street taught me one rule: if a fight is inevitable, you must strike first.” Fans of psychoanalysis have perked up - they have long been trying to explain the peculiarities of our foreign policy with that very street.

Even good diplomats will not be able to disguise the lack of goals in foreign policy. Russia's decision to take an active role in the Syrian crisis has once again taken everyone by surprise. The degree of confusion in the West is even higher than in the case of Crimea.

Russian-American relations are becoming more and more complicated, and we are continuing the Valdai project that began in the spring: parallel publications in Kommersant and The Washington Times of the views of experts from the two countries on what is happening. Over the past two months, the relevance of this undertaking has increased even more - there is less and less mutual understanding, and the need for it is increasing.

Photo by Vadim Savitsky / Department of Press Service and Information of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Even good diplomats cannot disguise the lack of goals in foreign policy Russia's decision to take an active role in the Syrian crisis has once again taken everyone by surprise. The degree of confusion in the West is even higher than in the case of Crimea.

photo REUTERS Global uncertainty could help Russia's “pivot to the East” The crisis in the Chinese stock market last summer fueled the debate about whether China has exhausted the growth resources once laid down by Deng Xiaoping's reforms. And worsening structural imbalances are turning recent competitive advantages into obstacles to growth and a threat to stability.

Fyodor Lukyanov on the possible consequences of the Russian operation in Syria Fedor Lukyanov, research professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Russia in Global Affairs" The Russian operation in Syria is an undoubted milestone in the political development of the country.

Global uncertainty may help Russia's “pivot to the East.” The crisis in the Chinese stock market last summer fueled the debate about whether China has exhausted the growth resources once laid down by Deng Xiaoping's reforms. And worsening structural imbalances are turning recent competitive advantages into obstacles to growth and a threat to stability.

REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis The EU must balance its image of a humane and fair democracy with the risk that democracy will destroy its unity The father of a united Europe, Jean Monnet, is credited with saying: “European countries should be moved towards a superstate without their citizens understanding what is happening.

The governance crisis prevents the EU from maintaining its role as a model for other countries The father of a united Europe, Jean Monnet, is credited with saying: “European countries should be moved towards a superstate without their citizens understanding what is happening.

photo TASS/ Yuri Smityuk The competition of ideas and values ​​increasingly resembles a “soft” arms race When it comes to the weaknesses of the Russian foreign policy arsenal, all commentators—both well-meaning and not so well-meaning—agree on one thing: a deficit of “soft power.” That is, the ability, with the help of one’s own example, charm and persuasion (not coercion), to attract others to the implementation of one’s undertakings and interests.

The competition of ideas and values ​​increasingly resembles a “soft” arms race. When it comes to the weaknesses of the Russian foreign policy arsenal, all commentators—both well-meaning and not so well-meaning—agree on one thing: a deficit of “soft power.” That is, the ability, with the help of one’s own example, charm and persuasion (not coercion), to attract others to the implementation of one’s undertakings and interests.

Fyodor Lukyanov - about the crisis of integration policy In calmer times, summer usually became a period of relative calm, and the period from mid-July to the end of August could be characterized as a political holiday.