The Breakdown of Post-Cold War Relationships

The erosion of peace after the Cold War is attributed to differing visions between the United States and Russia. While Russia, under Gorbachev, aspired to create a 'common European home' that would embrace various political systems, the U.S. sought a unified Europe predicated on the transformation of Russian internal politics towards a liberal model. This divergence in approach fostered resentment, as many Russians perceived U.S. interventions and transformations as failures, leading them to distrust U.S. motives and assert their need for sovereign security based on their distinct cultural identity. Consequently, the U.S. obsession with reforming Russia led to misunderstandings that would complicate future relations and breed hostility.