The trouble is that there are traditional groups in the West, above all in Germany and France, groups of intellectuals who could venture too deeply into the realm of philosophizing, which may lead to the rejection of modern Russia for a number of reasons. They view Russia as an undemocratic country that is infringing on human rights and freedom of speech.

       The St. Petersburg Dialogue is a vital element of civil society in Russia and Germany, linking our two countries. Over the last ten years, the St. Petersburg Dialogue Forum has discussed everything, including economic, political and cultural projects. Its participants discuss business cooperation and all forms of cooperation in civil society, as well as some acute questions, which sometimes cannot be avoided.

       The number of these difficult questions has increased recently. But this time they are not related to politics, the economy, military issues or even ideology.

       The biggest concern in Germany is that Russia has halted its movement toward democracy. The German participants have said this openly at nearly all working groups of the forum. The tone at the St. Petersburg Dialogue this year was quite negative. Debates in Germany indicate that Russian-German relations have soured and are worse than ever before. For this reason, politicians and forum participants have had to react to these changes and provide arguments that could either ease tension or further complicate the situation.

       The majority of people in Germany are happy that over the past 20 years we have developed normal strategic and allied relations with such a major world power as Russia. Bilateral trade has exceeded $80 billion a year. But the trouble is that there are traditional groups in the West, above all in Germany and France, groups of intellectuals who could venture too deeply into the realm of philosophizing, which may lead to the rejection of modern Russia for a number of reasons. They view Russia as an undemocratic country that is infringing on human rights and freedom of speech. They have gone so far as to question the need for partnership.

       I was impressed by how well Chancellor Angela Merkel maneuvered between the pragmatic line and the advocates of a policy of [European] values. Of course, burning problems, such as the verdict against the punk group Pussy Riot, attract public attention. But it is important that despite any misunderstandings and differences in world outlook, the most important of our joint projects have not been curtailed, but are continuing and have even been expanded. At the same time, we must not forget about our ideological differences, which has survived following the collapse of communist beliefs, and is hindering our progress. The Cold War legacy is still hanging over our heads.

       The St. Petersburg Dialogue forum has shown that Russia no longer views Germany, or the European Union as a whole, as a development model. In the 1990s, Russia looked up to the EU, but there are no reference points for pro-EU development left now. Russian participants have said openly that Russia’s task is to develop its own civilization that will be different from Western civilization. A strong feeling of resentment toward Europe has crept into the Russian elite, which is why Russia will not heed Europe’s mentor tone, going instead down its own path. Economically, Russia will lean towards Asia without severing relations with Europe.

       Russia will also try to promote two organizations as new poles in global politics. One is the G20, whose summit Russia will hold in St. Petersburg next year, and Russia will do its best to make sure it is more magnificent and more interesting than the G8 summit. The G20 has become the global government. And secondly, Russia will strengthen the BRICS forum, because 40% of the global population lives in the BRICS countries. Economic growth in these countries ranges between 4% and 9%, whereas the figure for Europe is only 1%, and this trend will persist in the next few years. Being with the BRICS is more profitable than remaining a junior partner of the West in the G8 or the EU. Eventually Russia will represent not an anti-pole, but simply a new pole of global development that will not be aligned with the West.

       Views expressed are of individual Members and Contributors, rather than the Club's, unless explicitly stated otherwise.