Relations between Russia and the West

Russia plans to have tanks and nuclear missiles roll over Red Square for the first time since 1990 to mark the inauguration of its new president. Marcel de Haas, a Russia expert at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, writes that this can be interpreted as a sign that Russia has returned to the international arena as a superpower. Nonetheless, he points out that despite the deterioration in relations between Russia and the West "economic, political and military cooperation with the West continues, and there is no talk, as some claim, of a new Cold War. ... To prevent Russia from becoming increasingly isolated and sealed off from the West, Moscow should be showered with proposals for intensifying political and military cooperation. ... Under no circumstances should the West ignore Russia either economically or politically - such conduct would only promote rigid policies. ... The Kremlin knows that a lack of unity - also regarding Medvedev - is the Achilles' heel in the West's policy towards Russia. Adopting a more consistent and united policy towards Moscow ... is the challenge the West now faces."

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