Russians expected that, once their country was seen to be no longer confrontational and expansionist, it would be treated as a legitimate partner, not as a defeated enemy. It would retain its status alongside the United States’ on the world stage, its territorial integrity would be unquestioned, and it would be left to manage its domestic affairs without outside interference or criticism.
科萨切夫等人认为欧盟不会与俄罗斯就“硬”安全问题——俄罗斯的当务之急——进行严肃探讨。这自有道理。在欧盟，如何处理与俄罗斯有关的安全问题——尤其是能源安全问题——可谓众说纷纭。按理，欧洲应该以一个声音与俄罗斯对话，但实际上，欧盟各国一有机会就会与俄罗斯进行双边协商（特别是在利润丰厚的商业合同事务上），只是在万不得已的情况下才会统一打出欧盟的旗帜。这使得俄罗斯可以游刃有余地各个击破。