i am not so sure that russia is doing so great nowm but i stick by your comment that russia will do great in the future. Russia is an extreemely rich country recource wise, especialy in oil. it is still recovering from the break up of the soviet union, but eventually, and i say this with confidence, will get back on it's feet. we are already seeing more trade and better relatins between russia and the western world. hopefully those relations will continue to grow.

As a Russian what do you think of all of the Chinese moving into western Siberia? I studied Russian in college and no doubt, Russia has had 1000 years of bad luck.

Russia is Asian country as well as Eropean country. Russia's biggest problem is money If Russia have enough money, it can develop economy, maintain military power...etc. As other people said, EU doesn't need Russia's help as a critical matter. But, look at the EAST. Especially Korea(ROK),Japan,China. Both Korea and Japan have dense population and very poor natural resources. And they have money and tech to develop Siberia. Dont't you think we can make a good team Russian friend? More importantly, Russia, Korea, Japan have a same strategic need on Far East - defend our land against expanding power of China. Russia have potential- vast land, rich natural resouce, high level tech (although in limited area), indomitable spirit of Russian poeple...etc If Russia acts wisely, it can overcome many problems.(I think Putin is smart man.)

Russia is not only oil and vodka, you know. We have many other good things. What about modern Russian weaponry - 152-mm gun armed tanks, new fighters with controllable thrust vector, modern personal firearms. Russia always have been ahead the rest of world in military tech. We have had hover torpedoboats back in 1930s, tested hovertanks in 1960s. Well, we were first in space! But, many of you right. We do have crime and corruption. And our democracy sometimes looks to me not very "democratic". But, situation changes to good, really. For example, two years ago (I've just started my service in the Police Force) my salary was 80 dollars a month. Now it is almost 300 dollars, and I can buy myself used car. And this happens everywhere. Even in my city (its not Moscow) there are more and more expencive cars, large supermarkets and nightclubs, bowling centres and boutiques. Some words about future. I think, Russia will not join NATO, at least 20-30 years. We dont need it. We are not going to fight with China for dominance. And we always have our Strategic Rocket Forces, which is enough to maintain a status quo. But, Russia shoul change. What we need - compact ultra-modern armed forces, higly mobile, with superb training and up-to-date weapons and vehicles. It must be smaller than million of soldiers. No conscripts at all. High salaries. We cant compete with US for now, but in 10-20 years we should have an army more powerful than German or French. And Russia will be still the great space power, we will actively take part in Mars Expedition, Moonbase construction and other such projects. You know, Russia could make it up. In all times we always did it (Mongol Invasion 1240, Polish Invasion 1600s, Napoleonic Wars, Hitlers Invasion). And we will stay on friendly terms with USA. Remember Civil War, when two squadrons of Russian Cruisers were send to USA to support against possible English threat. Russia in 1864 was strong, powerful and politically independent. And we will be again, sooner or later. Russia is now with civilised and democratic world. Its better to remain this way.

Once I met with a woman who was half russian. Her mother come from southern Russia. She worked to a company as a translator.Visited often to Russia and Ukrain. Told strange stories about the life of ordinary people there. I asked her when will people living an ordinary (Europian) way of life. I was wery surprised when she said: Never. Never because they don't even know they could live diferently. And the problem is not in cars, and money. The problem is in the way they are thinkink. The russian consumer goods are constructed by people who don't care with quality, reliability, demands of the market. These products are made of very bad quality materials and built by extremely careless workers. And they all think in themeselves: Oh, it's good enough! I'm very sorry because of the wasting of the knowledge and talent in Russia, but I don't see that they would see the problem. The military. The army is the sword of the nation. The arm, the muscle wich is moving the sword is the economy. Russia has a huge, rusted, extremely heavy sword which whith their very weak arms they can't even move!

You know, Russians are not dumb savages from vast steppes of Siberia. But I agree, problem is not the money and cars, etc. The problem is in people's minds. On our last Parliament elections Democratic Parties haven't pass the limit needed to go to Parliament. And now our Parliament is a bunch of corrupt politicians, millionaires with dirty money, pseudo-patriots and real fascists. Most of liberal politicians ar out of game. And thats a problem. Sometimes I think that Russia can become a totalitary state again, but now weak and disrespected (unlike USSR). Well, may be I am in a bad mood today... P.S. And I think "Okoshko" will be more correct - thats a "small window". P.P.S. Most people are care of whats happening with their country. And we are starting to produce some high-quality consumer goods - LCD monitors, for example.

Roadcop, I haven't seen you before, welcome to the board. I agree about the electoral situation in Russia. I am worried that your country might eventually be ruled by the mob. Mafia bosses will buy the politicians, who run parliament, and Russia becomes a nation run by organized crime. A scary thought it is. I hope that your liberal parties can get their act together and take your nation back from the hands of the tyrant wannabes. Remember, democracy starts close to the heart. Focus on your own region, fix that up first, and then focus on the nation at large. Democracy isn't a top-down system.

Thanks, thats a good site here to visit. I am agree that something to be done in the region. May be I myself try to become a candidate in a year or two, on a local level (municipal soviet, or city Douma). Well, thats an ambition... But there are still many liberally thinking people, and they should be rallied somehow. But thats difficult - communists and fascists are determined and united, and liberal parties are in disarray.

Dear Roadcop, If you suppose I think that the Russians are dumb it means I wrote a letter easy to misunderstand. :-) Actually I feel sorry about that they can't get out of the pit. You wrote that there are some positiv changes in the financial situation. But what do you think about political problems? Want Putin a real democracy? Who can shift him if he retire? Are there other politicians who want democracy and have a chance to get into power? What do think the common people about it? They are the only power which could change the current situation. Not the political parties! That's very nice there are liberal parties but that's not enough! There were good looking political organisations in Russia in the 19th. century too with no real influence on the country and the majority of the population. I'm really interested about you country but from the news quite hard to understand what is happening there.

Okay, I didnt mean you, I wrote about the tendention in some threads here. So, if you really interested, we can speak seriously. Want Putin a real democracy? - Good question, wish I knew the correct answer. But now our country slowly shifts from democratic to pseudo-democratic. Why is it possible? Young and middle-aged people (call them "modern") which achieve something decent in present social, political and economical situation, are not politicaly active. Many of them somehow disappointed in government, they just ignore elections on all levels (President, Parliament, Governors, etc). Many of them just "dont have time for all this silly stuff". On my observations, only about 20-25 % of "modern" people come to vote. Some middle-aged and most of aged people (call them "old") are angry on government and its politics. They especially angry on democratic leaders (sometimes just because this leaders are well-spoken, well-dressed and such). Many of them remember "good old times" when anyone had enough money to live (although thats not true - life was very poor even in 1970s-1980s - if you ask, I'll tell you details). Some of them support communists just "beacuse of habit". And of this "old" people about 60-80 per cent vote. And after democratic elections we have parliament without any democratic party (only some independent candidates made it). All previous analysis based solely on my own observations and publications in mass media. And BTW, I learned history in Univercity. And for two years I've served as analyst in personnel recruiting unit of regional militia ("police") department. Now - computer specialist in road safety unit of PD, leutenant senior grade (we use an army system of ranks). Thats info is to judge if I competent enough...