Voldemars Hermanis on Russia-phobia in post-Soviet countries

Writing for the daily Neatkarīgā Rīta Avīze Voldemars Hermanis discusses the phobic attitude towards Russia which is widespread in former Soviet republics: "Independently of the regimes in power in each country, the former Soviet republics still form a joint cultural, scientific and leisure time community with ties that reach beyond national borders. … In this context Russia is in a unique geopolitical position thanks to the vast energy resources at its disposal, and around 25 million Russians live in former Soviet republics. But President Dmitry Medvedev recently presented a draft law to the Duma which would allow the army to be deployed to protect these people in other countries. This is not the way to build trust, nor is the constant covering up of the Stalinist past or the protests against comparisons between the crimes of communism and those of National Socialism. The fear of being embraced too strongly by their big brother is what feeds the Russia-phobia in the post-Soviet area. Yet Russia's trump cards are not its military bases nor a history dictated by Moscow. It would be much more respected by its neighbours if it concentrated on its true wealth without isolationism or megalomania."

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