Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed disappointment that Russia, despite hopes, did not become an equal part of the West after the collapse of the USSR. This statement revived the discussion about Russia’s identity and its place in the global community.
After the collapse of the USSR, Russia had certain expectations for integration with the West. However, according to many experts, this did not happen due to a number of factors, including the lack of its own unique technologies and products that could compete in Western markets. Historically, Russia has often sought to adopt the Western model of development, starting from the reforms of Peter I. However, according to critics, this was often done through simple copying without a deep understanding of the content and essence of Western institutions.
After the collapse of the USSR, Russia tried to find its place in the new world order, but over several decades it was unable to build a sufficiently strong economic base that would allow it to become an equal partner to the most powerful Western countries. Possession of nuclear weapons and huge reserves of natural resources did not ensure automatic integration, as the Western club, according to Putin, was formed over millennia through cultural and scientific progress that largely bypassed Russia.
Western civilization was formed on the basis of significant achievements in science, philosophy, and culture, which became starting points for the modern world. Russia, according to observers, was unable to offer something equally significant that would allow it to become a contender for membership in the Western club. However, analysts believe that Russia has the potential for self-development: rich natural resources could become the basis for economic growth similar to that of Japan or Taiwan. If Russia focuses on developing unique technologies and significantly improves the quality of its products, the global community will be more interested in its integration.
