Solzhenitsyn: "Isn’t it a luxury for the West to be pushing Russia aside now, especially in the face of new threats? In my last Western interview before I returned to Russia (for Forbes magazine in April 1994) I said: 'If we look far into the future, one can see a time in the 21st century when both Europe and the USA will be in dire need of Russia as an ally.' "

The West is not "pushing Russia aside." Rather, Russia is "done" as a Great Power, given that it no longer controls the natural, human, military and economic resources of East Central Europe, especially the Ukraine. Only the decaying remnants of its Soviet past - an aging and dwindling nuclear arsenal and delivery systems, a large but ineffective, ill-equipped and demoralized army, diplomatic ties to Central Asia, and a relationship with China based upon technology transfers - render it any sort of threat to Western economic expansion and security strategies. Though there is traditional mistrust of the Kremlin amongst the electorates of NATO member states, Russia would have already been inducted into the organisation were it not for the clamor that would erupt from assorted NGOs and Western political parties, given Russia's criminality, human rights record, and Chechen quagmire. For similar reasons, Russia is not a candidate for membership in the EU. Naturally, some Russians (possibly incl. Putin and his cabinet) are suspicious of the West and seek neither deep alliance with it or membership in its international institutions, so these individuals are also instrumental in preventing deeper ties.

[T]here is an immediate and obvious difference between the European and the American situations.For an immigrant to become an American means a change of political allegiance.For an immigrant to become a Frenchman or a German means a change of ethnic identity.Changing political allegiance is certainly very much easier and more practical than changing ethnic identity,either in one's own feelings or in one's measure of acceptance.England had it both ways.If you were naturalized,you became British but you did not become English...

The 2007 Irving Kristol Lecture by Bernard Lewis

http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.25815,filter.all/pub_detail.asp

I only now realize why so many Europeans on this site insist that America faces the same sort of immigration and demographic crises that Europe faces.  I've often asked myself, "Why all this European alarmism about Asian and Latino immigration to the United States?"  Now I understand:  the Europeans are afraid that, as the new immigrants come to dominate, the American population will reach a tipping point and the majority will no longer care about/put up with our ungrateful European so-called allies.  Our eyes will instead be focused on India, China, and Latin America.

"If we look far into the future,one can see a time in the 21st century when both Europe and the USA will be in dire need of Russia as an ally".

Well,perhaps that is true,but first,let us think seriously about how we can retain our friends,and only then consider who might be our mutual acquaintances.

Quote: Britain should tread carefully...Unfortunately,Russia and China will only grow wealthier from oil and trade surpluses...what will keep the US engaged as a powerful ally of Britain and Europe in their coming hour of need [will be] ...American public opinion and goodwill that are predicated on some notion of reciprocal friendship.

Victor Davis Hanson.