The Russian Economy and Russian Power

G.Friedman has written an interesting article about Russia at
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20090727_u_s_policy_continuity_and_russian_response

At times I wonder - do the EU's big countries (the ones in G7) - apart from Great Britain - have a correct assessment of Russia? Looking past the 'great power status' of Russia do they know what they are dealing with? Also, when dealing with it - do they still maintain the moral high ground that the Western countries are so proud of? Looking at the leaders such as Schroeder or Berlusconi sometimes I doubt it.