ABSTRACT
Russia’s foreign policy seems to be directed toward a fast return to “Western civilization.” Russia is focused on quick integration into the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the closest possible partnership with such Western institutions as the European Union (EU) and NATO. Russia needs Western assistance in order to restructure its economy. The question remains whether President Vladimir Putin is a genuine believer in European values or whether he is following a hidden agenda that was once characterized by Tsar Peter the Great as follows: “Today we need Europe to modernize our state and economy, but later we will turn our back on Europe.” (A.W. Just, “Russland in Europa,” Berlin, 1950, S. 221).
