Uncomfortable need to talk about diplomacy with Russia iol.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from iol.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Russia s military has shifted to sustained attacks on civilian targets and Ukraine s energy grid, knocking out about 30 percent of its energy infrastructure.
Attempts by some Western European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, to locate an off-ramp for Russian President Vladimir Putin have only incurred the scorn and wrath of those more hawkish on Russia.
The western political/media class has been dismissing as "conspiracy theories" all claims that the US is likely responsible for last month's sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, even while leveling the exact same accusations against Russia.