By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard affirmed the legitimacy of US criticism regarding European defense spending, highlighting Sweden’s doubled military investment over four years. She emphasized judging Russia’s actions, not words, in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, advocating for continued support of Ukraine to negotiate from a position of strength. Stenergard expressed hope for a just and lasting peace, stressing the need for increased pressure on Russia through sanctions and reduced oil price caps. Finally, she underscored the importance of a rules-based international order, particularly in the face of challenges posed by China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Russia should be judged by its actions, not its statements. This seems like a straightforward concept, yet it’s a lesson repeatedly needing to be learned when dealing with Russia. The blatant disregard for truth displayed by the Kremlin over decades, culminating in the current war, makes judging them based on their words utterly pointless. Their pronouncements, often framed as defensive measures or justifications, frequently mask aggressive intentions and atrocities.
Russia’s history is rife with instances where reassuring statements directly preceded acts of aggression or violence. The pattern of deception is so consistent that any statement from Russian leadership should be met with immediate skepticism, if not outright dismissal. The constant stream of disinformation and propaganda underscores the need to prioritize actions over words. This isn’t just about analyzing individual pronouncements; it’s about recognizing a systemic pattern of deceit.
The claim of “purely defensive” military drills before an invasion is just one example of this pattern. The countless instances of war crimes, the use of violence as a primary communication tool – these actions speak far louder than any carefully crafted statement. The infamous “guy falling out of windows” incidents and the polonium tea poisonings aren’t isolated events; they illustrate a method of communication as much as they are acts of brutal violence. The Kremlin employs violence as a language, one understood and feared.
This isn’t merely about Russia, though. The principle of judging nations by their actions, not their rhetoric, should be a universal standard. Too often, diplomatic discourse prioritizes flowery language over the concrete reality of a nation’s behavior. The world has grown far too accustomed to accepting hollow promises and misleading statements from various governments, allowing them to operate under a guise of legitimacy that is contradicted by their actual deeds.
The unfortunate reality is that focusing solely on statements leaves us vulnerable to manipulation. The international community must break free from this trap and adopt a firmer stance. This requires a significant shift in global diplomatic practices, prioritizing objective observation and consistent accountability over the artful pronouncements of powerful leaders. A focus on verifiable actions – on human rights records, compliance with international law, and respect for neighboring states – will create a fairer and more effective system of international relations.
This isn’t to suggest that dialogue with Russia is impossible. Rather, any communication must be informed by the sobering understanding that Russia’s actions are the only reliable indicator of its intentions. This means recognizing that threats of reprisal, for instance, are less effective when the threatener has a history of unreliable statements. Their hollow words should be ignored, and attention instead placed on assessing their military deployments, their human rights violations, and their behavior toward neighboring countries.
The challenge lies in shifting the paradigm. For too long, Western diplomats and media have been ensnared by the Kremlin’s linguistic games. We must adjust our approach, moving away from a reliance on verbal assurances and toward an assessment rooted in observable evidence. This means prioritizing thorough investigation of reported events, robust verification of information, and a strong commitment to holding all nations accountable for their actions, regardless of their pronouncements.
Ultimately, the focus needs to be less on “what Russia says” and more on “what Russia does.” It’s about shifting the lens from the flowery promises to the tangible realities of a government’s actions toward its citizens, neighboring countries and the world at large. This approach – judging countries by their actions, not their words – is not merely a practical necessity, but a crucial step towards building a more just and stable international order. Only through this shift in perspective can the international community accurately assess threats, anticipate actions and formulate effective responses to the challenges posed by states like Russia.