Many of political problems Russia is facing now on a political level may root in a deep dislike of Russians and Russia on social, cultural, and every-day-life level. This is of course on top of the fact that all the countries of the former Eastern Bloc hate Russians for keeping them as satellites for too long, and leaving them economically and politically underdeveloped. Former Soviet Republics hate Russia as de-facto colonizers, even worse there.
The question comes to mind, what does Russia bring to the European/International table that is of value? Simple things that are easy to understand. Tell me. Is it a good business environment, being trustworthy and reliable? Is it highly developed technology that can be used elsewhere? Is it culture (literature, music, painting of international significance?). Is it good business acumen and ability to learn and scale up technologies? Is it respect to people within the country and to the neighbors? Is it sports and athletics? Chess?
I am trying to think about something simple here, like 'French wines are great' 'German automakers are reliable', 'Japanese speed trains go fast and are always on time', 'British pubs are great and British comedy is funny' 'Italian cuisine is unbelievable', 'Chinese know how to scale up technologies' 'American National Parks are open to public and very nice to visit' 'Swedes are fair'
Very little of it. Russia does not bring much love into the hearts of their neighbors.
It takes a long time to develop such love but it is essential for any kind of progress on international level. Otherwise it may remain 'the country nobody cares about' with all the consequences.
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