I suspect you might think a little differently if the ideology were not one you favor. My point was to contrast rational actors (even if viewed as malevolent) with pathological ones. One can negotiate to lasting purpose with a Brezhnev or Deng Xiaoping, not with Stalin or Hitler. I do not favor the concept of “ideology,” which I think inherently dogmatic. We have ways of thinking. We have ideals. We should pursue those ideals. But in the real world we must balance our ideals with pragmatism. Extremes in either direction produce destructive consequences.

Here is for a Happy Belarusian New Year.

мне не совсем понятно, в чем тут разница.
Я против де-идеологизированного “прагматичного” подхода.
Это значит, что лучше искать “базовые” состояния согласия,
на основе которых поддерживать дальнейшие отношения.
/
I do not quite clear what the difference is.
I am against de-ideologized “pragmatic” approach.
This means that it is better to seek “basic” state of consent,
on the basis of which further support the relationship.