Prof. Kreutz presents a concise geopolitical and historical background of Russia and the major predicaments that currently hamper its full international integration and acceptance. He outlines the negative and potentially dangerous aspects of the existing situation. In the author’s view the Russian Federation, which is a successor state of the Soviet Union and the previous Russian Empire, should not now be treated as a defeated nation on probation. Rather, alongside China, it should be acknowledged as a great independent power with its own political traditions and interests. Only such an approach can secure international peace and cooperation in Europe and Asia, which are needed by all countries of the region and even the world at large.