The experienced politician and former German Development Minister calls on the international community to provide greater support to countries in Russia's immediate neighborhood, particularly those countries that have "turned toward the EU and NATO," says Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul. But she is also thinking of the people in Russia, who have an "interest in living in dignity and freedom." She also dispels a long-held illusion: "Believing that economic change leads to more democracy, that has not materialized," she says, pointing to Putin's "imperial policies." -mb

Katrin Rulle