Russia 07

Memorandum from Maria-Pierre Nisus

Summary of the main points

RUSSIA AND THE WEST:

RUSSIA IN SEARCH OF GREATER SOVEREIGN POWER

The Georgian conflict has demonstrated that it is the West which took the lead to mediate in the conflict and condemn Russia's actions. Yet, the demise of the Former Soviet Union and the Kosovo crisis in 1999 has clearly made Russia and the West apart. The Russian-Georgian conflict has increased this difference due to a disregard of the West on the Russia's legitimate interests.

There should be no illusion that this will be easy to deal with Russia. The Current Russian President is willing to cooperate with the West, providing clearly formulated foreign interests that are taken seriously. When these interests diverge from those of the West mutually acceptable compromise should be the means to resolve any disputes between various foreign policy interests. Diplomatic tools should be used in this context. In the opposite of the Russian post-foreign policy paradigm, Russia is no longer willing to accept the resolution of disputes by the means of Western pressure. Pragmatic political compromise is the only way to deal with Russian foreign policy.

11 February 2009