Abstract

Russia suffers from multifaceted weaknesses and constraints which prohibit Moscow from playing a decisive and influential role in international relations. Further, arguments are advanced regarding the thesis that, if rational considerations remain dominant in Russian foreign and security thinking, there is no reasonable alternative for Russia but to seek cooperative relations with the West in general and with the European Union (EU) in particular.(W)e should recognize the supremacy of internal goals over external ones. We should at long last learn to do so. If certain international projects—no matter how high sounding and catchy they may be—are not going to benefit our citizens we should not seek to join them. If Russia is being lured into costly global undertakings while we are heavily in debt and cannot even afford to pay wages to our people—we should assess our potential and perhaps hold on for a while.Vladimir V. Putin, February 2000