Everything is different and nothing has changed

In the Russia of the 21st century everything is different. Fundamentally so. It is difficult to exactly explain the transition, particularly to a generation born in the 80s who are trying to make their way in the world here.

Yet the transition was marked. From a sense that the State was there to somehow take care of you, to help you and there was a State-sanctioned, propaganda-led, State-perpetuated sense of solidarity where people were expected to take care of each other, to look out for each other and to help each other (because let's face it, the State could do little beyond oppress) they have gone to one of total isolation where they are on their own and look out for themselves.

Their view of the State has undergone a cosmetic transition in that they now know it is not there to help and unless they behave they can get into trouble.

At a time when Peter Mandelson highlights EU-Russian tensions it is interesting to note that Russians, as a nation, still know little about the world, are propaganda-led, State-controlled and live, despite the shift from collectivization to individualism, in a world where the old habit of checking on people to see what they are up to, still persists.

In the old Soviet Union this was fostered, subtly and pervasively, under the guise of openess and comradeship as a means of social spying. You never could do anything against the State because the State was everywhere, its eyes and ears in every place, cultivated through a subtle, intricate network of spies that were both real and imagined.

This has led to a society where even in large cities the habit of asking direct questions, stating open opinions on issues of judgement and 'nosing' (for lack of a better word) into each other's business, still persists.

What has this go to do with East-West relations and the EU-Russia thing? A lot.

It comes down to perception and expectation. From the outside we se this rumbling, massive, naturally wealthy nation and expect it in the 21st century to be like us. Maybe a few hang ups and maybe a few issues but catching up rapidly and getting to be like the West.

It isn't. With unemployment and illiteracy running high. With most Russians focussed on how to pay the rent and get a flat and find some stability and some security. The democratically elected government of Russia is bent on solidifying its hold on power and in a paternalistic, top-down manner tell its citizenry how happy they are, how proud and what a great country they live in.

This is a government that is insecure in teh way it is perceived by the outside world, exactly because it knows that its democratic label is only a label.

As a result it is full of mistrust. It fears being criticised. It fears being judged. It fears being cast in a poor light because it is unsure that it can control a citizenry that has grown richer and more active.

In terms of where we stand in the East-West perception nothing has changed.

Russia fails to understand that the West is interested in trade more than war, that nationalism is subject to profit and that national pride is subject to business success.