I agree with roadcop that Europe's interests are better served by having a strong Russia at its' orders, not a weak one. -------------------- actually both Europes and Americas interests would be served by a "just right" Russia, neither to strong, nor to weak

Finland has many reasons to be sceptical about Russia, but the those times are gone by. When you speak younger Finns the negative feelings about Russia reflect the fear of organized crime, drug trafficking and so on, huge majority does not consider Russia as a threat. Older generations, especially those born in 1940´s-1960´s have much more negative point of view and as a suprise, most of the veterans have more positive point of view than those born after the war. So its very easy to say that Finland and Russia, especially their people have friendly relationship.. BUT sometimes Russian government acts like Soviets used to, and that causes a creepy feeling. Sometimes Russian diplomats try to interfere with Finnish internal politics and react harshly when something what they dont like show up. Thats not nice and gives the feeling that Russians do not trust us.. so why should we trust them? The situation of Baltic states were very different if they had (tried to) fought against the Soviets in 1940. They agreed to give their countries to Stalin and in 1945 it was evident what would happen. No need for sympathy, a shot or two in 1940 would have made this different, but no.. they gave their countries to Stalin, on a silver plate. Yalta was another Molotow-Ribbentrop thing, but it would have been far easier to support Balts if they had fought in 1940. Remember that Soviet Union did not swallow any country it conquered/freed in WWII, there wasnt Soviet Republic of Poland etc.. They just kept what they had before the great patriotic war. (yes, some border changes, but nothing so big). Cheers.

Since the early days of the Rominovs, the "pure Russians" were considered supirior to vast minority groups in the country. Even after the communist take over, and then the fall of the Soviet Union, as a Ukranian now living in Melbourne I still recive occational prejiduce from "accutual Russians". A prejiduce that had been pased down over many centuries and that is currently casusing ever more evident division between the Ukranian and Russian youth of Melbourne. As long as this kind of prejiduce continues to exist, former Soviet states and their people will continue to resent the former "mother land".

Why only former Russian states... Neo nazism is a prominent thing in russia. I have faced it a lot of times as a student of MEI, moscow. I have been beaten up. As a foreigner u can't get out on the streets on Hitler's b'day, or on Stalin's b'day... I'm not saying that I don't like russia, I do. but I could do without those skinheads...

The Poles have a saying: "What the Nazis did to us they did as enemies, what the Russians did they did as friends." I'd really like to know what everyone would consider a 'strong' Russia to be. I think that for European security (from a Chinese threat or otherwise) a reliable, coherent Russia would be more useful. Also, one that doesn't meddle outside of its current political borders. Meddling in Finnish politics is bad enough. Having the Mayor of Moscow visit Sevirodonetsk, Ukraine, to encourage a seperatist congress in December, 2004, is worse. Having explosives found in a Russian-registered car, driven by a Russian citizen in Kyiv (not Kiev, please) on October 18, followed by the discovery of a second car, parked outside the opposition headquarters, with explosives, shortly afterwards, is not merely worse, it's (expletive deleted). Granted, those might have not been sent on the express order of someone in power in the 'northern neighbour', but these things, combined with Yushchenko's poisoning with a tail that points to a Russian chemical factory, the gross violation of the contract allowing the Russians to station the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol' and the fun with the Kerch Strait (a border issue that got warm last year) all make for feelings that we're dealing with an 'unreliable' neighbour - whether weak or strong. Putin claiming that he 'never supported' Yanukovych, after making two high-profile visits within 10 days and appearing on all national Ukrainian TV networks to praise Yanukovych mid-November, 2004 - just days before thesecond round of the election - isn't (expletive deleted) it's why a thread like 'No love for Russia' has its place. We had rumours that Russian Spetsnas were sent to Kyiv (not Kiev) to protect Kuchma, retrieve documents, protect the worst of the kleptocrats. People here who normally don't really care one way or another about Russians warned me: "If the troops in front of me (guarding the buildings) are Ukrainians, I'll talk them into peace. But don't get between my hand and a Russian throat. They've meddled for the last time." I'm sure you guys in Russia have a lot in comon with me - interest in military history being one of them. And if you're in Kyiv, a good portion of the people will be happy to see you as tourists. But if you want to be loved, be loveable - the above points otherwise.

OplotMira wrote: "As far as Central-Asia is concerned, the US has taken on "responsibility" for these regions traditionally under Russian influence in the light of "The War On Terror", but this is only a temporary condition. The future will need a strong Russia to assert control of this vast territory and prevent it form falling pray to organised crime, militant islamism, big-time banditry and international terrorism." Well, all known facts indicate that russia will fail and desintegrate. First - and the most seríous reason of all - is the demograhic situation. The ethnic russians in the russian federation are fading away. Other ethnic groups in the caucasus and in siberia will take their chance. Second there is a massive decline of the educational system. The west - the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel took advantage of the post cold war brain drain. Now there are no sizable numbers of fresh russian scientists to attract anymore. The russian science system has collapsed. Third there is no patriotic russia anymore. Most people just think for themselves as in the west. But without a western "common sense" and without a tradidional civil society and justice system russia has become an "el dorado" for mafiosis. There are to many corrupt politicians and bosses. There is no middle class on the rise. And any potential for building a middle class is migrating to Europe, the US and Israel. Fourth: Parts of russia will seek independence in the future. And there is no army to prevent that. Even little chenenya was a problem. Nukes cannot solve these problems. And people rich neighboring countries like the central asean repuplics and china will take their share of siberias ressources. Fifth: Islam and tribalism are on the rise. Rural russia migrates to cities. And the russian soul is rooted in the rural areas (as everywhere the rural folk is the most patriotic). The money russia earns from oil and natural gas exports goes to switzerland and other western banks. The russian rich are just becoming part of the global jet set. They give a dam to russia and her people. What will happen when oil and natural gas will not run the country anymore? Russia is a real security risiko to the world. We will see. BTW: Russia attacked Scandinavia in 1940 (Finland). And a serious threat to norway is the nuclear waste in Murmansk and the Barent Sea. Srap reactors and its plutonium from old submarines are a real environmental problem. If sold to terrorist it even concerns the whole world.

I don't know if anyone touched on the obvious reason for foreign apprehension with regards to Russia. And that is Putin. It is of no debate that Soviet expansionism was direct threat to world security (hence Cold War). Plain and simple, Putin is ex KGB. Couple that with his recent moves to preserve and enhance his longevity in control is recipe for 'reminiscing of the old days...'

so, u're saying that Russia might be dangerous for the West when it'll become strong once again. i think U're right. Imagine, that U're sitting in Kremlin. What do u have on Ur borders? Finland - neutral country, its ok. Baltic States (mainly Latvia&Estonia) - US satellites, trying to assimilate it's russian population, attempting to get reparation of damages for Soviet era... Belarus - absolutely unpredictable dictator Lukashenko. And the only faithful ally in Europe. And he will 100% help us in a war if sb attacks us. The only problem is that no1 what will happen when Lukashenko wont be the president anymore... (in case of revolution etc.. ) We're talking about united country for many years, but there's still no progress. Poland - hostile country supported by USA. Our relations with Poland were always worse, all our history... Ukraine - Yushenko is trying to enter NATO and EU. If he'll manage to do that, it'll be the catastrophe... But there's still a very high chance that pro-russian parties will win the elections in march... (And even higher chance, if ukrainian heavy industry will collapse after increasing gas prices...) Georgia - US satellite, hostile country, constantly whinning about hostile contries (read:Russia) trying to liquidate it's sovereignty... Kazakhstan - good friend. China - the biggest problem in the future. Because It'll surely tries to expand to Siberia... Japan - Territorial conflict (Kuriles) + Possible USA bases in Romania and Bulgaria + USA bases in Central Asia And how do u think, will Russia stay passive in such situation and try to show it as a peaceful country? The best defense is an attack.... sry for my english, know its not very good...

what do you think about Turkey? actually stalin killed millons of Turks but i have good feelings about russians.what do you think of us?

Dont equate Stalin and bolsheviks with russians.Consequences of their rule are comparable with WWII losses. And about Turkey, I have nothing against Turkish people, but i understand, that Russia probably will have some problems with Turkey, especially if it will take control over Ukraine again. Why? Because Russia and Turkey are the only two naval powers on the coast of Black Sea. And there's another problem, that is not so important today... Constantinople(Istanbul). How do u think, how European Catholics would feel, if Vatican would become, for example, Algerian territory... ? As i said, its not important today, but when Russia will become strong once again and and cultural aspect will be important in it's foreign policy, then there might be some... problems.