For Russia it fits better a bipartisan system more similar to the American than to the European. That means candidates have to present their candidacy in the 83 subjects of the Russian Federation the same as Americans have to present their candidacy in the 50 states, if they want to rule the whole nation. Don´t follow the Spanish example with Nationalist parties deciding who roles the whole territory of Spain. Even if at least the Spanish system is more reliable and predictible than the multi-party Government in Italy. A Presidential bipartisan system with presence in the 83 federal subjects.

Whilst some parts of the report have merit, there is clearly a lack of thinking things through, which casts a doubt over the caliber of the people involved. Indeed the whole report looks bereft of independent thought and looks like a weak attempt at western political plagiarism. One example of lack of thought and logic is this statement under the auspice of joining the EU: "people no longer want to remain as observers in their own country, but want to participate in decisions regarding a better future for Russia." Well joining the EU would give some participation, but that is all it would be, the EU bureaucrats would be dictating to Russians what they can and cannot do. This is the cornerstone of objections of membership of the EU, from many citizens around Europe. If the purpose of the report was just to stimulate debate well fine, I think it will do well. If it is trying to set a direction, then I think it will fail dismally, because we do not want to be slaves to the west in our own country under a western yoke. Instead we want to be independent but connected to all poles, because there are more people outside the EU than within it and we are not subservient to it; to become so would just make us a European colony. Indeed I would prefer an independent free route, this is the way of the future with further development of well defined interfaces, to a more and more diverse set of actors that map onto increasing multipolar order. We may find that all points on the compass except west is the path for us. Maybe this report was just for publicity!

That still won't be good enough for the western hypocrites. Only if Russia puts in power US backed President and Premier as Yeltsin was, and transform its military industry into commercial one, manufacturing vacuum cleaners and carpet extraction machines instead of superiority cutting edge combat aircraft and state of the art interceptor missiles and multiple war head long range rocket carriers with evasive flight trajectory indestructible for the Western present and future interceptors, they will continue whinging.

... and the Chinese language will be official language

As it looks Medvedev is very appropriately summarizing the Russian political gain: - If Russia remains over-resisting Western pressure – it may crush as hard but not resilient enough. - Russia might fail to explain itself to the world becoming mental addict of rationalization. Thus pick up human rights as well, but fight back on unique sovereign manner. - Russians must sensibly cash international involvement as the right to act directly without brokerage. It is the paradox that Russia is more far away from USA than other countries playing zero-contribution to any political topics. In a disagreement between Russia and USA is incomparably more present and future value than in USA – East Europe agreement. - Finally Russia is morally handling a vast amount of assaulting issues delivered from West deprived from self-correction. Russians are to take the load and Medvedev is acting well telling about: The Government is not willing to represent Russia before the whole intelligentsia and intelligence share the load. The point is – Russia had always been winning when it comes to eye-to-eye moral judgment.

The major European participants in the first world war where Russia, Britain, Germany and France. And the same European grouping took part in the second world war. The EU had as a primary aim the locking together of former combatants for their mutual political and economic benefit. Clearly without Russian membership this process is dangerously incomplete. It is no secret that there are two external sources of opposition to Russian membership. (1) Counties formally occupied by the USSR (The passing of time will take care of much of this). (2) The American political elites. Russia in the EU will transform European/American relations. And eliminate the Atlantic reflex in European politics. The relative decline of American state power will reduce the ability of their political elites everywhere, including Europe. No one in their right mind would want to join NATO. The EU can be in Russia's future. If that is what the Russians want.

This paper is written by those who want to see self-destructive policy of the Yeltsin era reapplied in Russia. The reason why they want Russia to become a NATO member is because in that case western imperialists would control Russian energy resources for their own benefit. If Russia joined EU and NATO (which is an aggressive military block with imperial ambitions) Russia would not only loose its sovereignty but also its future. Considering that great absolute majority of Russians despise Yeltsin era neoliberal policies when Russia was looted and the national wealth was seized by the selfish bandit oligarchy I think that any attempt to reapply these policies would cause civil war in Russia. After complete failure of these criminal policies in Russia during the 90s I think it is very, very unlikely, almost impossible, to see that happening in Russia again. These policies have also destroyed former Yugoslavia, when the western imperialists first supported/financed/trained/equipped chauvinists and "nationalists" in order to introduce quarrels between our south Slavic peoples, and then they pushed us into civil war - this is a well known policy divide et impera (divide and conquer). And finally after we killed each other, western imperialists conquered us. Today the western imperialists own our banks, our factories, our vital sectors of economy (energy, telecommunications...), they own our media (for brain washing). Speaking about media absolute majority of people here in Croatia were AGAINST joining NATO and the ruling "elite" (in pocket of the western imperialists) supported because the media refused to allow referendum on the issue knowing that in that case Croatia would not join NATO. The same scenario is playing now in neighboring Serbia. Western imperialists tried the same in Ukraine but failed. Freedom to the people!

The only condition for Russia´s NATO membership should be scrapping the present American Dictatorship, so a European can be also the Supreme Alied Comander in Europe...Unless what Russia wants is a separate Russian or CIS Command separated from SACEUR and under a Russia Supreme Commander. Perhaps, Asia-Pacific countries like Japan, Australia and South Korea could create a fourth Supreme Allied Command. There would be then 5 NATO Allied Commands: North America, Europe, CIS-Russia and Asia. Perhaps even a Fifth South American Command lead by a Brazilian Suprem Commander. The problem would be if all these Commanders are under command from the President of the U.S.A. as Commander in Chief. So, that should change to to a kind of NATO Defense Council led by five Presidents: President of U.S.A, President of Russia, President of the European Union (or perhaps the President of a German Federation of 125 million people, including 22 Lander: 16 present German Lander, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, Flanders, Luxembourg and Denmark), President of Brazil and an Asian President (some would like it to be China)....

Bear, You are absolutely right about NATO’s (jewish US) plot inflicted on Yugoslavia to divide-concur which even the most nationalistic people from former republics have realised that everyone lived much better off when we were in united Yugoslavia. I guess now it is for our generation to put Yugoslavia together again for the welfare of everyone-even the Kosovo’s Albanians whom suffer ripe and pillage on the daily bases under the NATO suppression. FREEDOM TO THE PEOPLE.

A) Joining NATO is not a bad idea for one reason: Russia could have a save Western (and much more populated) Front and could use most forces to protect Siberia from a possible Chinese attack...Apart from receiving military support from the U.S. and Europe in case of a Chinese attack. B) But Russia also could behave as a Super Finland (as it is doing now): not intervention against China, a big and increasingly important market for Russian goods and weapons, and a good Trade relationship (even Customs Union) with the European Union. This way, Russia wouldn´t have to choose sides in case the U.S. starts a War against China, a War that Russia would suffer much more than the U.S. which is an island between the Atlantic and the Pacific. In fact, even Australia is becoming "finlandinsed" with its increasing economic dependence from China, its main trade partnet. And Russia´s Siberia has all the resources to become the next Australia for China, supplying goods at the same level but at better prices as Siberia is obviously much closer to China than Australia. Siberia could replace a great part of the present trade Australia holds with China, adding also an extremely important resource that Australia lacks: water, both for hydrolectric projects to supply Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia and even Beijing, and natural water for private consumption.

These folks are clearly out of their depth. I know, I know. They are just saying what they are supposed to. But seriously, have you ever seen evolution go BACKWARDS? One can never go back to the past. One can go sideways or forward, but when going backwards, one finds that the things have changed there, as well. Return to Yeltsin era is not possible. Election of governors in Russia today is simply not possible. After Beslan, many things were not the same, just like in US after 9-11. The multi-party system Italian style? Heavens forbid! Something along the US system, a fundamentally two party system, will suit Russia much better. But the changes will come as a political evolution, not as a result of a think-tank paper.

Enrique, The US two party system is not all its cracked up to be. On the right, you have massive spending and large government. On the left, you have the same thing, but with a different name. If the US could get a third and even a fourth party elected, it would greatly smooth out the process. If Russia could have a small but still multi-party government it would be infinitely more effective than either spain or the us

That document must have been drafted in Brussels or Washington. If I was Russian, I will be suspicious of all business-lawyers becoming politicians (When you have references like Obama and Sarkozy, you become "racist"). As an entity, Russia is perfect. She is unified, she has a culture, a good educative and scientific system; but considering her huge surface, she needs infrastructures and modernisation. (Rome was not build in one day). Her major problems are: she make a lot of peoples jealous and she has so many natural resources. So all the tricks are good to pollute her political and economic environment. Those cynical peoples play on the fact that being isolated during 70 years, Russia must have missed something. My question is: would you like to be as dumn as most Frenchmen or Americans are now. I guess not; even considering the sad periods of your recent history. Russians should carefully study that document before jumping on it and not worry about what outsiders say...Think Positive...Sincerely. Jean-Claude Meslin

This so-called report is no more that a mishmash of unpersuasive and inconsistent potpourri. It does not deserve serious analysis, let alone a look by Medvedev. Throw it in the wastebasket and forget about it.

Democracy is the the most odious and cynical political system ever introduced and I dearly yearn it is abolished forever. What is that based on? On the people's opinion ? what people ? Most people in society are slightly above the level of cattle. Are we going to let those primitive individuals decide the future ? the values that must rule society ? It is tragic how the great mother Soviet Union has turned itself into a show circus American style, which you can see in their advertising on the streets, in their Media and in the progressively low education level of their citizens. But the worst, the terrible tragedy is that they are losing their identity, their particular and unique way to interrelate each other as "tovorish", how easy it was to make friends on the street and be invited to the house and now they are turning into a Western rappers, rastas, and all those stupid circus of weird and ridiculous characters seen everywhere, just as on the streets of the West. Mix will end up destroying the structure of Russia, that is why it is essential to maintain the same order and separation that ruled the Soviet Union.