Fast Lane to Moscow
France is overtaking Germany when it comes to relations with Russia. But only if both countries work together can Europe hope to deal successfully …
“Putin Has a Plan”
Russia’s president has played a weak hand quite cleverly on the global stage, says Russia expert Angela Stent.
“Do We Want to Re-Enact Yalta?”
Relations between the West and Russia are at their lowest point in more than thirty years. Change will only come with new leadership in the Kremlin.
In Search of Lost Time
Moscow’s warnings of a “new Cold War” are out of sync with today’s realities.
The Costs of Coexistence
It’s clear that Europe needs a new relationship with Moscow. But it cannot be one that sacrifices European values of democracy and self-determination for stability.
The Rilke Strategy
Europe needs to craft a short-term strategy to contain Moscow’s power and a long-term strategy to reengage with Russian interests. As the poet Rainer Maria Rilke said, “To endure is all.”
Firmness and Consistency
It will be hard for the EU to admit that its postmodern dream of an eternally peaceful European security order is out of reach. But given Russia’s aggression, that is what it must learn to do – while bolstering its defenses.
An Expanded Focus
Setting a positive agenda, reaching out to Russia’s remaining civil society, and pursuing a mixture of containment and engagement can build a more effective relationship with Russia over a long time frame.
The What-Not-To-Do List
If the West really wants to build a new relationship, then it has to understand Russia much better than it does today. Here are a few recommendations on what to avoid when patching up relations with Moscow.
