March 2001

Is there a strategy towards Russia?

Has the European Union's strategy towards Russia been successful? The question is asked in an editorial in the regional daily, Turun Sanomat (8 March 2001). The leading article gets its inspiration from a new book by Arto Luukkanen about recent Russian political development. The book argues that neither the architects of Finnish foreign policy nor the EU have a strategy towards Russia.

Both Finland and the EU seem to put all their hopes on a process which brings Russia closer to "European values". Turun Sanomat implies in its editorial that supporting this process seems to be the beginning and the end of the EU's strategy towards Russia.

"One can, however, ask how successful this strategy has been. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has taken a big step towards a working democracy. A legal state is being built as well, although it will take time to be completed. When the young and energetic Vladimir Putin took over the reins in Russia and declared his belief in western values it seemed that the country had a good chance to move towards them.

"Recent developments, however, do not indicate that this is happening. Instead of widening democracy, Putin has aimed to increase the power of the central leadership and that of himsef. According to Luukkanen, Putin's aim is securocracy or the power of security officials. This process, which has been also felt by the country's press, is being unhesitatingly enforced throughout the country under Putin's leadership. Such developments can easily lead to dictatorship."

Turun Sanomat writes that Putin does not seem to be able to use his power for the benefit of his country and its people. Important reforms like the rebuilding of the country's infrastructure and the re-organising of land ownership are still waiting to happen. The paper also refers to the suffering of the Chechen people.

"Development in Putin's Russia does not seem to be going in the direction which both Finland's and the EU's Russian strategies would like to see happen. One wonders if it is not time for sharpening up the strategy."


See also:

• Russians begin long trek to EU (The Guardian, 26 May 2001)
• The Continuing Class Struggle (The Moscow Times, 25 May 2001)
• Sakharov's Ideals Can Save Russia (The Moscow Times, 23 May 2001)
• EU silent on rights with Putin (The Irish Times, 18 May 2001)
• EU suddenly silent on Chechnya abuses (The Scotsman, 18 May 2001)
• Russia and the EU deepen ties (BBC News, 17 May 2001)
• Russia Is Finished (The Atlantic Monthly, May 2001)
• The Fight Has Come Full Circle (The Moscow Times, 11 May 2001)
• Cry for Russia's lost press liberty (The Guardian, 11 May 2001)
• The glow begins to fade (The Economist, 10 May 2001)
• Analysis: Is Russia falling apart? (BBC News, 10 May 2001)
• Thousands of Teens Rally for Putin (The Moscow Times, 8 May 2001)
• Everything OK in Putin’s Russia (The Scotsman, 8 May 2001)
• An Ominous Path (The St Petersburg Times, 24 April 2001)
• The party of power (The Times, 14 April 2001)
• One Reform To Ruin the Middle Class (The Moscow Times, 13 April 2001)
• President: Russia Not Out of the Woods Yet (The Moscow Times, 4 April 2001)
• Russia no longer disintegrating, Putin tells nation (The Independent, 4 April 2001)
• Mr Putin cannot be lauded as the saviour of Russia without political reforms (The Independent, 4 April 2001)
• Putin promises a paradox: stability and upheaval (The Irish Times, 4 April 2001)
• Putin to tackle reforms and capital flight (Financial Times, 3 April 2001)
• Mr Putin's priorities (Financial Times, 3 April 2001)
• Putin promises deeper reform (BBC News, 3 April 2001)
• Putin brings in own team (BBC News, 28 March 2001)
• If Putin Told Us the Truth (The Moscow Times, 27 March 2001)
• We Deserved More From Putin's Year (The Moscow Times, 27 March 2001)
• A Year in Power, Putin Is Still an Enigma to Russians (International Herald Tribune, 27 March 2001)
• Putin's first year (BBC News, 26 March 2001)
• Privatization Smothered By Secrecy (The Moscow Times, 15 March 2001)
• Muddle in Moscow (The Economist, 15 March 2001)
• Putin's daunting agenda (Financial Times, 12 March 2001)
• Vladimir Putin: One year on (BBC News, 11 March 2001)
• Putin rebuilds oligarchy (The Moscow Times, 11 March 2001)
• Special Report / Human Rights (The Moscow Times)

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