The breakdown in relations has been gradual and undramatic – more a morose and resentful refusal to see each other’s point of view than a succession of rows. This owes much to the humiliations that Russia suffered when the end of communism forced its economy to its knees, and to Western short-sightedness about Russia’s fundamental strengths and resilience.
双边关系的破裂是渐进而非剧烈的，更多的是不断吵架，郁闷和仇恨地拒绝审视对方观点。这主要是由于共产主义结束迫使其经济瘫痪而使俄国遭受屈辱，以及西方对于俄国的基本力量和韧性没有长远眼光。