Relations between Russia and the West have deteriorated to dangerous levels not seen since the height of the Cold War. The Kremlin has embarked on an aggressive foreign policy that is evident from Crimea to Syria.

On Friday British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson said that Russia was in danger of becoming a “pariah nation.” There is no doubt that Moscow’s continued involvement in the bombing of Syria is taking a huge toll on civilian lives. It needs to stop and all diplomatic pressure possible be brought to bear to bring that about. Diplomatic moves also need to be redoubled to remind Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Kremlin cannot act with impunity when it comes to computer hacking and other activities outlined in our foreign coverage today on the “Russian threat.”

The most important word here is ‘diplomacy’ and the need to pursue it from a position of understanding of how Moscow currently views the West. Such diplomacy cannot adopt a finger wagging approach by Britain and the US who themselves have far from spotless records in terms of foreign interventions.

Considered diplomacy is the only way to neuter those in Washington and London itching for a showdown with Moscow. As our coverage today makes clear, this is the first time since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 that several-nuclear-armed powers are engaged in a dangerous stand-off with fewer safeguards than existed 50 years ago. Diplomacy can and must be the only way forward in dealing with Russia.