From Ideology to Pragmatism

Russia has replaced the ideological guidelines of its Soviet days by pragmaticnationalism as a post-imperial nuclear power striving to reassert its influencemostly by economic and cultural means. Furthermore, Russia is well poised toface crucial issues such as terrorism, pollution, high prices of commodities, energysupplies, etc. The relationship between Russia and the West is definitely not azero-sum game, as in the past. Instead both parties can benefit from a fairdialogue