| Summary/Abstract |
The paper analyzes the current crisis in Russia’s relations with Western
countries and possible scenarios of further developments. The author
concludes that the West is essentially at war with Russia as the very concept
of war is not limited to a direct armed clash but suggests efforts by one
power to compel the opponent to fulfil this power’s will. The current crisis
was precipitated by the collapse of the Soviet Union, which heralded the
West’s victory in the Cold War. Russia was not included in the Western bloc
as a full-fledged member, and the West never intended to recognize Russia’s
right to become an independent great power. The great power status is
an objective necessity for Russia, but its potential does not allow it to
confront the collective West on equal terms. One possible solution is further
rapprochement with China which has the capability to claim the status of a
second superpower.
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