--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we blunt Russian efforts now to be…" description: "\"If we blunt Russian efforts now to be aggressive, we may be pleasantly surprised by the policy options that become available to us, in terms of working..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/daniel-fried-8925_aggressive_if-we-blunt-russian-efforts-now-to-be-ag_2875858.jpg" --- # If we blunt Russian efforts now to be aggressive, we may… ![“If we blunt Russian efforts now to be aggressive, we may be pleasantly surprised by the policy options that become available to us, in terms of working with a better Russia.” quote by Daniel Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/daniel-fried-8925_aggressive_if-we-blunt-russian-efforts-now-to-be-ag_2875858.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/daniel-fried-8925_aggressive_if-we-blunt-russian-efforts-now-to-be-ag_2875858.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aa4/daniel-fried-8925_aggressive_if-we-blunt-russian-efforts-now-to-be-ag_2875858.jpg) > “If we blunt Russian efforts now to be aggressive, we may be pleasantly surprised by the policy options that become available to us, in terms of working with a better Russia.” [Daniel Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-fried/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reducing Russian aggression now could open new diplomatic options. **In simple terms:** Less aggression may yield better policy choices. Key Takeaway Consider diplomatic engagement over confrontation. Themes diplomacy strategic patience geopolitics conflict resolution Mood strategic cautious Type political analytical When to use this quote - international negotiations - sanctions - peace talks - foreign aid Key Concepts soft power negotiation policy flexibility Questions to Reflect On - What risks accompany a softer stance? - How can we ensure compliance? A Different Perspective Aggressive reduction may be perceived as weakness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia/) ## Related quotes > [It's better to get along with Russia than not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/it-s-better-to-get-along-with-russia-than-not/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [“vegetables in your restaurants are not so good.” “Better in Russia?” Reynolds asked, interested. “I should say so,” Nadya said. “Also better in France,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sandford/vegetables-in-your-restaurants-are-not-so-good-better-in-russia/) [John Sandford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sandford/) > [We're conducting an investigation to understand whether there was any coordination between the Russian efforts and anybody associated with the Trump campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-comey/we-re-conducting-an-investigation-to-understand-whether-there-was-any/) [James Comey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-comey/) > [I have no doubt that there are Russian efforts to disturb the fabric of American democracy, but they're disruption efforts. 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It is much more poetic than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/jazz-is-not-something-that-can-be-defined-through-blunt-instruments/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) ## More by Daniel Fried > [We're a little bit low in the 1970s, right, post-Vietnam, Watergate era, malaise, all that, but this is more like the 1930s where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-fried/we-re-a-little-bit-low-in-the-1970s-right-post-vietnam-watergate-era/) [Daniel Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-fried/) > [I think, Russia is pushing against the West in general, not just the United States but the institutions of the West, the key governments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-fried/i-think-russia-is-pushing-against-the-west-in-general-not-just-the/) [Daniel Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-fried/) > [ \[Russians\] want to bring us down to make them feel better about the failure of the Soviet Union. 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