I hate the EU with utmost passion. Talk about a sham of on organization. They only exist because they forced themselves onto the political scene. They used democratic processes, but all the same, they don't except NO. They had Constitution voted down by Germany and France, Then the Lisbon treaty in Ireland. They don't represent people, they are a government body on top of a government body. The one size fits all policy of the EU leaves some nations in poverty and those with power even more power. They impose hideous laws like outlawing the incandescent light bulb. Russia's fascination with everything WEST has them planning on doing the same. EU courts listen to case after case and fine Russia for every abuse. What authority does a foreign court have over another sovereign nation? ZERO! Arrogance rings loud. EU wants Russia Manipulated should be the title of this story. They want Russia in their image. America and Europe have ownership and business throughout Russia. SO MUCH SO That I feel I am in America or Western Europe sometimes with Campbells Soup, Heinz, Ford, MacDonald's, KFC, and endless other business ventures. How is Russia allowed to invest in Europe and America? Practically NIL! What does the leadership do? They bat eyes at the West endlessly!!! Meanwhile countries like Iran who actually sign contracts for Bushehr are left hanging for over 10 years. Also failing on the contract of the S-300. It is obvious despite claims that America is behind this. What is Russia getting in return? NOTHING! A worse missile shield is being put in place so to say the Czech and Polish one was a pay is ridiculous. China wants more partnerships and projects Putin this year signed some of the first pipe deals with China. These foreign issues are reasons of concern and better business practices and working with people who actually want to work with us is a better plan than working with people who plan to undercut you at every corner.

Looks like the circus is ready to elect the new CLOWN .

right on money Artyom, how they say in ze west. West thinks of itself as of moral authority we know it is not. Why the hell everyone keeps silent about it??? I´m getting impatient. Because somethings gonna happen and they keep media blind imo. Once something happens, it will all be "unexpected" (read planned)

There is something infantile and in profoundly childish about this man’s ridiculous claim that Russian needs ‘Europe’ in order to become modern and democratic! Russia has great and perhaps the greatest cultural tradition in all of Europe, it is powerful nations with strong institutions. In the final analysis, modernizing Russia means opening up the country for utter and total neoliberal commodifidications of the society. Russia will do well to avoid taking advice from a European leaders who cannot resist the toxic influence of neo-liberalism and instead focus on developing and renewing its industry and society according to Russia’s own traditions and needs.

Bildt - why don't you go and modernise Sweden first, like having modern concepts, like a doctor to visit you at home, an ability to rent out 'your' apartment without the local mafia OK, like actualy being able to buy a bottle of wine in a local shop, like having a non oppressive tax system, like having a free media, like the security services not carting people off to secret prisons -plenty of work for you to do in commieland Carl.

Mr. Bildt is right on. Russia is neither modernized nor democratic, and it needs to be. It should be. But why isn't it? Democratic socialism works, just look at the quality of life in Sweden. Now compare it to that of Russia. Yikes, indeed? Russia is a nation rich culturally and with regard to natural resources, but it suffers as it is poorly governed, its institutions are highly corrupt and primitive, its cities are ridden with crime and poverty. I long for a day when social malaise in Russia has been cured and I can believe in Russia as a progressive and modern country. Sadly, today is not that day. To those of you who say Sweden needs to be modernized (I'm talking to you, Count Cash), shame on you. Are you really that uneducated? Have you ever been, well, anywhere other than Russia? "like a doctor to visit you at home, an ability to rent out 'your' apartment without the local mafia OK, like actualy being able to buy a bottle of wine in a local shop, like having a non oppressive tax system, like having a free media, like the security services not carting people off to secret prisons"- this is the single most bizarre and misinformed view of Sweden I believe I have ever had the displeasure of hearing. Ironically, its a rather apt description of Russia as I know it today.