Whereas Russia may favour bellicose utterances in reaction to specific developments, the diplomatic events of recent weeks support a certain pratical warming towards the West. Some of this is propelled by necessity: the security of the winter Olympics at Sochi on the Black Sea and a tentative fear within the Russian elites that plunging fuel prices could jeopardise the hard-won financial stability of centralised Muscovy. Some of it may be shoring up the flanks. Russia does not require hostility from Europe when that alliances that have cemented relationships with China appear far more fragile under the troubles hitting China's maritime littoral. China is unpredictable in its associations.
If any country's relationships with Russia plunged to low depths then it was the United Kngdom. However, backchannels have been lit up for some years now and, like France, expanding co-operation is achieved through the defence industries. A treaty on co-operation (in non-sensitive technology) has been underway for some months. It should soon be signed.
These small steps indicate that Russia understands the fear of two armed camps and, wisely, does not wish to see conflict in East Asia pull other countries within its orbit. A multipolar world is to be welcomed but neutrality is becoming a natural option: Russia is a European power with interests in Asia; or an Asian power that extends to Europe. It just depends upon who is asking.