Western opposition to many Russian proposals on security since the end of the Cold War often boils down to the fact that they would create a new security framework of which Russia would be an inextricable part. Arguably, that is precisely what would make such a framework more robust. And would that not be for the benefit of everyone?
There is a strong analogy here with the vision of the French statesman Robert Schuman, whose proposal to make nations mutually dependent in their use of the strategic resources of his day -- coal and steel -- ultimately led to the to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the forerunner of the European Union. When Western leaders embrace a similar view of Russia, the Cold War in our minds will truly be over.
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