Traveling to Moscow, at least by air, is now a torment, but besides a symbol of the economical absurdity of alleged sanctions.
Of course, Western propaganda is easier to sow hatred of Russia and Russians erstwhile foreigners have hard access to them, but it can work both ways, i.e.. Russians could besides turn their society against Western Europe utilizing these methods. But for any reason they don't.
The switchover at Istanbul Airport proved problematic. Half a day of hold and only after a fewer hours aid from Aeroflot, who arranged a waiting accommodation and board. But there is no time lost. I rapidly conclude from the talks with the Russians that despite the increase in the run of rusophobia, there is neither an ounce of anti-policity in them. “Kraków is simply a beautiful city,” says 1 lady, “I was in Warsaw 3 years ago,” says the another master. Until the final landing on Sheremietev, I have the full support of average Russians and, in fact, zero political talks. These were waiting for a lot.
On a night train from the airport to the city of emptiness. Ah, if individual from Polish-language haters could be here with me – he could take pictures and compose an full article about how the Russians do not usage airplanes due to sanctions! Moscow greeted me with a conventional cold and passing at Tabak's door with a soldier with a “Zetek” on his shoulder. As it later turned out, it was 1 of the fewer signs of the ongoing war. At least in the Russian Federation capital.
The Future Without the Present
The conference I was invited to, although the announcement had a historical one, was about the future. I treated this as a good sign in general that as a reason to talk about a multipolar world, the Russians recognise the 100th anniversary of the USSR. After all, it was the transition of the Russian planet from the "powers concert" to the avant-garde of anti-imperialism. Russia seems to be on the road again, although the Russians themselves inactive hope to join the table of “great” from the alleged “free world”. Even now!
Discussions, guests and subjects – actually without reservation. A planet that is already born, challenges and problems that this creates. For a Pole, it's like breathing. Finally, did anyone on the Vistula even realize what it meant to lose sanctions against Russia? It is simply a symbol of the deficiency of collective Western omnipotence. He is no longer able to accomplish political objectives through economical blackmail. For Russia, it is proof that the economical relations established with the West after the dissolution of the USSR put it as a insignificant player. However, I uncertainty that the Russians themselves are already convinced of this.
However, these discussions were a small early. Yes, the multipolar planet is born. In pain, with many questions, but it's an irreversible process. However, Russia's function in this is not a closed matter. Let us leave for a minute to consider whether the decision to launch peculiar Military Operations was right and desirable. However, if it has been taken, it is to put everything on 1 card. Today, it is simply a projection of force (read: accomplishing declared targets in Ukraine) to decide whether Russia, as in the times of the USSR, will give a speech to fresh global relations, or possibly China, India and others from the "unfree world" will do so without it. But consciousness will always follow the front, never before it.
Is there anyone outside Poland here?
On the second day of the conference Mikhail Lipkin, prof. of the Institute of past of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented a alternatively interesting concept of global global relations, but the Russian Federation placed the table at the top of the table, alongside the US, and above mentioned India and China. In the meantime, specified a discrimination should be discussed, especially present erstwhile it is at least ambiguous. I, however, that day “was waiting” for Aleksandra Szpakowski, a Belarusian writer and political scientist to ask him why Belarus has not yet created a universal message, at least to the nations of our region.
And here's the first surprise: to welcome I heard the soothing ears of a beautiful half-man from the mouth of a guest indignated by me. However, the answer saddened me somewhat: “We are a tiny country, forced to follow pragmatism.” nevertheless hard to deny this sense, it is inactive a pity, due to the fact that Belarus is the only real alternate to neoliberal capitalism, at least in Europe. After this question, however, I immediately established relations with others present at the Belarusian conference. It's hearty, by the way. It was apparent that they simply felt sympathy for Polishness, but with the current attitude of the government in Warsaw they are incapable to give this discount. Almost all 1 of them has any kind of relation with Poland and most frequently at household level. Meanwhile, the 3rd Republic alternatively than utilizing it wisely – prefers to elect them president.
For dessert, that day, there was a conversation conducted by the well-known in us Fyodora Lukyanova from the writing of “Russia in Global Affairs”, which is worth reading, due to the fact that even if it is simply a bit over-intellectual, it allows to admit the current position of Russian intelligence. In a discussion about fresh rules in the world, there was an interesting thesis that globalisation will be halted, and global relations will be structured alternatively at macro-regional level. The man who spoke about it, as shortly as he utilized any Russian word besides appearing in Polish, ostentatically Polishized it in pronunciation. He is simply a associate of the Waldai Club, Piotr Dutkiewicz, prof. who lives in Canada all day. An incredible native head that the Fatherland does not use. But why do we request a Dutkiewicz erstwhile we have Mark Suski? In any case, the inauguration, to the amusement of recently met friends and colleagues, I summarized the words "here around Poles themselves".
The Devil is in the details
However, another day was not little interesting than the erstwhile one. Just after breakfast, Alexey Bezborodow, an economical policy expert, somewhat dispels the hopes of young people who are greedy of "digitalisation", giving examples of problems that cannot be solved with smartphones. Useful. Later, talk about the Caribbean crisis and the global safety policy needed. In the context of rumors (let's hope!) about the usage of atomic weapons in the conflict in Ukraine, as current as the most idealistic.
For me, anyway, it was crucial to meet with the Deputy abroad Minister, Sergei Riabkov, to whom I asked – as it turned out – a alternatively embarrassing question about how to reconcile declared goals of the SOW with the deficiency of interest in changing power in Ukraine. Invalid? But isn't that what the Americans did in 2014, starting the tragedy of this country and our full region? Riabkov did not answer directly, he reminded of peace negotiations with Volodymyr Zelenski's crew. March. November. And this most likely best illustrated the late reaction of the Russian Federation to events on the front. Although, as the Polish proverb says, "better late than never." In any case, representatives of the Donetsk People's Republic thanked me for raising the subject. Symbolic.
Subsequently, a discussion with representatives of Ukraine's territories, which have already been constitutionally incorporated into the Russian Federation. But it was missing Kirilla Striemousova. He died the day the Russian troops withdrew from Chersonia. An absolutely passionate man, who speaks Polish. The void thus created, however, was filled - at least in the debate - by the Vladimir Rogow from the dam area. He told how persecuted were pro-Russian activists from the region by Ukrainian services. Not since February 2022, but in those 8 years, erstwhile the “civilised world” even encouraged Kiev to do so. Rogow, despite all the tragedy, kept the weather of the spirit.
No tea, but at the jury's.
November was over with a bump. Although the plan for this day was abundant, the planned gathering with the abroad Minister of the Russian Federation dominated our thoughts and feelings. The nail of the show. Earlier, however, a debate about education after leaving the Bologna system. Actually, it's no of my business, so let the Russians decide for themselves, but it's apparent that the youth there were very concerned. Finally, the MFA building. Full Soviet. plan and symbolism. A building that corresponds to the seriousness of the institution. That's right. safety measures? Nothing unusual, actually. Yes, we were on the list, there was control, but little severe than even at airports. Fighting for a table seat. I cared due to the fact that “the plan for Sergei Lavrov” was ambitious. I yet found myself in the second row outside the main table, but close to the guest. The place at the table I gave up earlier to the Turk. She doesn't should be ashamed of her government in fresh months, just like me.
The jury was as reasonable as ever. He is already aware of the irreversibility of events, although a note of regret for the "lost" planet could be heard. In any case, I asked him whether, in the face of his own words, “the Western partners do not perceive to us”, but he does not see the point in—a nomen omen—of public diplomacy, consisting of a “talk” of Russian leaders with European nations. I had proof of the effectiveness of this method in my hand. Speeches by Sergei Lavrow in Polish. The last copy I presented to the Russian minister after the meeting. He added from himself that he felt sorry for his relation with Poland. That he had a good relation with Radosław SikorskiThat likewise reasonable seemed to him the minister Zbigniew Rau. Well, possibly if decisions about our abroad policy were made in Warsaw – present would be different?
Walking on absurdities
New month, fresh challenges. On the way to the Gorczak Foundation, I passed a tiny poster celebrating Russian soldiers taking part in the SOW. I saw another 1 somewhere else. However, all this was lost in the sea of neon western brands. Marks & Engels are somewhere shy on the side of the buildings, as patrons of the streets, but Marks & Spencer shine red and shout at passersby. And at the conference we are talking about a "peace on the planet", although at the polygons in Russia, the mobilized are undergoing training, and tons of western weapons go to Ukraine to proceed killing passersby in Donetsk.
One of the guests, however, was the erstwhile Prime Minister of Slovakia, Jan Montenegro. An excellent speech, so much more understandable to me, that plentiful with Slovak-speaking inserts. But no 1 bothered. Slavic languages are truly similar. I managed to ask Montenegro the question whether the chance for our countries is, in a sense, Russia's triumph in Ukraine, which would give asumpt until the Anglo-Saxons retreat from operation of Central Europe. He agreed to it all. In the Kuluaras, I thanked him for what he did for his release Matthew Piskorski A fewer years ago.
On the same day, I went to the office of Rossi Segodna, the news agency there, where I met with the editor of Sputnik Polska, including Leonid Swiridov, the most popular Russian writer in Poland, who was expelled from Poland a fewer years ago, under covert charges. Yeah, it's not a mistake. Still, no 1 told Swirridow what the threat to Poland's safety was expected to be. Nevertheless, it functions in a Polish public message like Emmanuel Goldstein in George Orwell in 1984, and the photograph with it is utilized in propaganda to slop political opponents. It is indeed ‘strange’ that a longtime correspondent of Russian media in Poland has pictures with politicians of all political options. However, our Polish minds are becoming little demanding, so they fall for it.
Rejterade for a Godly Purpose
I felt like I stayed on that meme trip. “Where is the Pole?”, “Wait for the Pole”, “The Pole, come with us tonight”. It may be funny, but it's motivational. I don't represent the Polish government, but possibly individual here has dealt with Poles for the first time in their life and will look at us through my prism? Rumor that any non-russophobic Pole is in Moscow has in any case reached students from the MFA Diplomatic Academy, learning our language. They invited me to a gathering due to the fact that in Poland no 1 is answering their calls, and for months there has been no 1 from our countryman.
So I wasn't at most Friday's discussions, but talking to students was a hard experience for me. hard due to the fact that how do they explain the disappointment that comes to them from a country they want to learn? Yes, most of them are on the Polish faculty by choice. There was no taboo, we talked in Polish about what is happening in our country, what policies are conducted towards Russia and what causes it. Great, young people. In Moscow, 1 of the best universities, the Russians are educated, who are mostly motivated by sympathy for us, to Poland. Something on the “society” I don't think we'll see the West. There, however, the Pole is utilized to wash dishes. Let the reader answer his own question of the meaning of our policy.
But I made it to the closing ceremony. Memorable diplomas, photos, singing songs together. Young Russians, various origins, singing hit Oleg Gazmanov “Russia Forward!”. A sympathetic guest from India, who claimed his Russian was weak and inactive spoke English, turned out to know the Russian words of the russian anthem. The influence of wine on language cognition is uncharted!
An island in the heart of Russia
If you are tempted by what you might call "general impressions", among the Russians, especially those young people, the awareness of the historical minute in which they are located is inactive besides small. There's a certain geographical property here. The inhabitants of Moscow and St. Petersburg live as if they were having difficulty swallowing what is happening. They're hiding behind the wall. They don't even want to talk about the war much, accepting the laconic messages of this or any another ministry. Western melodic lines are played in the streets of the city, there is no “Kalinka”, let alone the “Holy War”. What is different about the alleged province, where the population organizes aid for the military themselves, are arranged goodbyes and greetings. And it's not like Russia is someway different from the remainder of the world, in general it's always like life is different in capitals. Nevertheless, it is there that the elite live, and they are yet liable for the direction chosen. And although all the signs on earth and in the sky present give fuel to Russian hawks, they inactive do not deficiency the unconvinced.
Young Russian intelligence is mostly disappointed. Especially the attitude of Western partners. Opportunists and careers on which Russia sacrificed its resources to build its own image proved to be... opportunists and careersmen. The claim to full co-create the “Western civilization” did not die at all, although my remark that it ended in Auschwitz-Birkenau was correctly understood. The fear of the unknown dominates even as well-developed areas as public education, although the Russian one, based on the fall from the USSR, is truly advanced and the Russians should not fear the impact of sanctions in this area.
It's actually a truism, but it's a completely different view of war in Ukraine by those for whom it's not a media story, but a bloody reality. The Donbast insurgents no longer have illusions about "European values", which for 8 years bring them only further tragedies, tears at funerals and fear of whether they themselves will not be at the halt that the rocket will hit. past speaks for them, but whether and erstwhile this consciousness reaches Moscow is simply a separate question. For now, the cry “Achmat strength” is not worth raising. So far, the Russians have been convinced that no Western know-how is needed to cut a bun and put a part of meat there. Fortunately for myself, any of the youth I had the chance to meet, know and read Alexander Dugin.
Polish Language Lesson
Going back a small bit to my conversation with Jan Montenegro – so, let's put it plainly: if Russia reaches its goals in Ukraine, Western imperialism can make a strategical decision to retreat from our part of Europe. The Americans don't have any large business over the Vistula. We service them due to the fact that we have been falsely convinced of this as a resource to fight Russia. However, we are not seen as partners in Washington. Without major harm to the White House, they can shift the funds to another major directions. After all, the war on Taiwan appears to be rather a real possible and only Polish dreamers (or, actually, compradors) can believe that the United States will quit the Pacific to save from oppression of their pupils over the Vistula River.
Then and only in Poland can there be awareness of the request to find a place in the multipolar world. Then we can realize that the Russians are not our enemies. We can realize that they have no pretense towards us, and differences in the perception of past should not be an obstacle to a appropriate relationship. Finally: to shout loudly that Polish cultural capital is only present to the east of our borders, and it is there that we can usage it wisely, although we must renounce all imperialism for this purpose, and to look in our relations for what we call a win-win situation. Otherwise Poland will stay in an alternate state. It is simply a more "east flank of NATO" than "Polish" and cannot be changed, due to the fact that the full apparatus of this country is determined by the advantage of the “politicians” trained in the West. They have the media, they have the capital, they dominate culture and education.
Therefore, the Moscow conference should be considered essential and useful. Not only due to the observations that would be hard to make under the present conditions, but besides because, in a conscious sense, the current of modernity flows to us, which cannot be blocked by any wall, even with monitoring and voltage. And beyond the global dimension, there is an equally crucial local aspect, that is, the possible that we have in the improvement of relations with the large Russian people, and which I could find out about through an invitation from the Gorczak Foundation. For these reasons, really, neither now nor in the future, I am not going to worry about the "thought police" demanding that I be punished for illegality and organizing hatred campaigns for not asking propaganda about whether I am allowed to go to Russia. Yes, prison is not a good prospect, and arrests for acts that are not included in the penal code are a substance on the agenda (video of the case of Piskorski or Janusz Niedźwiecki), but Poland will not forgive us if we do not fight for it now.
Tomasz Jankowski
Tomasz Jankowski's study from his journey to Moscow and his participation in the conference "Dialog. In the name of the future, organized by the Alexander Gorczak Public Diplomacy Foundation, in the century of the creation of the Union of russian Socialist Republics.
Think Poland, No. 51-52 (18-25.12.2022)
