Russia is determined to change the way it deals with the West. On this point, China and Russia can actually encourage each other. Although Lavrov did not specify what the "new principle" is, from the current point of view, this "new principle" includes at least two aspects.

Russia is determined to change the way it deals with the West. On this point, China and Russia can actually encourage each other.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said in an interview a few days ago that even if Russia resumes normal diplomatic contacts with the West in the future, such contacts will be conducted in accordance with "new principles" and the previous methods will no longer be valid. This is one of the lessons that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has taught Russia.

(Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov)

Although Lavrov did not specify what the "new principle" is, from the current point of view, this "new principle" includes at least two aspects.

After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine broke out, although Western countries did not sever diplomatic relations with Russia on a large scale, they basically suspended bilateral diplomatic contacts. A large number of Russian diplomats stationed in Western countries were either expelled or recalled by Russia on their own initiative. The same was true for many diplomats from Western countries stationed in Russia.

(Diplomatic contacts between Russia and the West are basically suspended)

In October, Lavrov said that the working conditions of Russian diplomats in Western countries are currently very bad. After the West decided to break with Russia and suspend all economic exchanges, Russian diplomats there actually have "nothing to do." Therefore, maintaining the diplomatic presence of Moscow in the West is “meaningless”. In the future, Russia will focus its diplomatic work on developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

In other words, even if Russia resumes normal diplomatic contacts with the West in the future, Russia will not focus its diplomacy on the West. Focusing on developing relations with developing countries such as China is the priority of the Russian Foreign Ministry. This is one of the contents of the "new principle".

It is foreseeable that after Russia shifts its diplomatic focus to Asian, African and Latin American countries, Russia will also begin to focus on cultivating non-English-speaking diplomatic talents. English is no longer a must-score course for every Russian diplomat. There may be a wave of Chinese learning in Russia.

(There may be a wave of learning Chinese in Russia)

Another content of the "new principles" may be that the West must fully respect Russia's reasonable security interests. When dealing with the West, Russia will no longer have huge tolerance for them.

Yes, although Russia has always been tough on the West, in actual operations, Moscow still maintains a certain degree of tolerance towards the West, leaving a lot of room for maneuver. We might as well review the five eastward expansions of NATO . Every time before NATO released news of eastward expansion, Russia would "strongly oppose" it and then conduct various military exercises. But in the end, Russia raised the big stick high and then gently put it down.

(NATO’s Five Timetables for Eastward Expansion)

Of course, the same is true for the West towards Russia. After the outbreak of the Crimean crisis in 2014, the West adopted a series of economic sanctions against Russia, but they soon became superficial. The two sides did business as they should. "Nord Stream 2" should continue to be built - countries always put their own interests first.

But the nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is different this time. NATO's eastward expansion has arrived at the doorstep, and the Western sanctions are intended to completely bring Russia to its knees, to bring the Russian economy back to the state it was in when the Soviet Union just disintegrated, and to make Russia's "second disintegration" come under Western control again. The West has done such a wonderful job that Russia has completely given up its last illusions about the West. After recognizing the nature of the West, it is natural for Russia to change the way it deals with Western countries and no longer be overly tolerant to them.

(Russia changes the way it deals with the West)

And to a certain extent, China and Russia, two big countries that are also suppressed by the Western world, can definitely encourage each other in how to deal with Western countries. For a long time, we have always attached great importance to our diplomatic relations with countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and we treat all countries equally.In the process of dealing with the West, we also adhere to the bottom line. In the face of the West's hegemonic diplomacy, China firmly stands on the side of international justice; China will vigorously fight back against any behavior that provokes our country's bottom line.

html After Pelosi leaked to Taiwan in August, China immediately announced countermeasures and suspended 8 cooperation and communication mechanisms between the two countries. We have also seen the results: after the China-US Bali Summit, the United States first sent a delegation to Langfang for talks with China, and then Secretary of State Blinken had a phone call with China to prepare for next year's visit to China. It is obvious that the United States obviously wants China on some issues, and at the same time they are eager to resume relevant cooperation with China.

(U.S. Secretary of State Blinken)

It is not too late to remedy the situation. In the new geopolitical context, the big ship Russia is turning eastward, so its diplomatic system's "leave Europe and enter Asia" is naturally inevitable.

Of course, one thing we must not forget is that strong comprehensive national strength is still the foundation and backing of a country's diplomacy. In today's complex international situation, when dealing with other countries, Western countries obviously prefer to abide by the " law of the jungle " based on their own strength. Therefore, whether Russia changes the way it deals with the West or finds a new diplomatic direction. National strength and influence are also indispensable as the backing. Without these support, no matter how many diplomatic actions are taken, they will only get twice the result with half the effort.