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Russia has tried several times to integrate into European civilization, but Europe does not accept it, the permanent secretary of the French Academy of Sciences, and the foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Hélène Carrère d'Encausse, is convinced.
According to the well-known historian, the first Russian emperor managed to do it, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union no actions of the Russian leaders led to success, RIA Novosti reports. Carrère d'Encausse recalled the efforts of Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and even Vladimir Putin.
Their failure is based on European fears and contempt, she explained, and also on the lack of foresight in Europe. The European Union was well aware that the time it would take to adapt Russia would not be easy. The EU was afraid of the difficulties that might arise, and chose to remain under the cover of the shield of the United States.
Europe traditionally treats Russia as a “peasant” and a very authoritarian state. But if one turns to history, it is impossible not to notice that women were often the supreme rulers in the country, and Peter showed "a sincere need for European values."
Carrère d'Encausse recalled that everyone was open to Russia in the European Parliament in the second half of the 1990s, and no one ever tried to teach the Russians about human rights.
“Everything seemed possible, there was no atmosphere of hostility or fear,” she said.
Today, Russia can be treated in two ways, and the prospects of relations depend on it.
“For Europe, Russia is a bridge or barrier. And if it is a barrier, then it is dangerous, ” the scientist believes.
Russkiy Mir
