From some point of view, it is interesting to observe modern rise of nationalism in Russia. Many people there identify themselves with the Soviet past: among those people not only those in their 30s-40s, who personally lived during the Soviet rule, but also younger ones, inspired by their parents' and grandparents' nostalgy. However, that current "Soviet" identification is much at odds with the truly Soviet character that passed away 25 years ago.
Modern Soviet nostalgy is being raised up by Russian propaganda, which makes accent on former Soviet grandeur. Not in the last place, the antagonism between Soviet Union and the West is underlined. But back in the Soviet times people were not so evil towards the West and towards the United States in particular. Soviet citizens were in most cases ordinary and modest people, more concerned with their lives than with politics. Today, the upsurge of improper Russian nationalism makes that Soviet post-Stalin legacy much more brutal than it was in reality.
The same thing is in diplomacy. Soviet diplomacy, especially that during Gromyko's times, was high-class. Soviet diplomacy was a noble, well-constructed diplomacy. Modern Russian diplomacy has become brutal and unethical. Soviet diplomats never pushed their stance beyond the redline, even though they made mistakes. Russian diplomats try to do everything in the way most poficient for Russia, frequently brutally deceiving other states, lying to other nations. The Crimean case was an example, as well as Donbass and Syrian ones.
Some compare Lavrov to Gromyko. You may not agree but I consider Lavrov's style to be disgusting, not comparable to Gromyko's one in any way. And I think Mr. Gromyko would agree...
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| Modesty, excellence, professionalism |
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| Brutality, window dressing, pomposity |
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