Kryachkov 2!indd

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Д. А. Крячков
UNIT VIII
4. 
In an attempt to explain the pendulum-like swings in US-Russia relations, some scholars place 
blame on Washington’s shifting foreign policy priorities.
5. In the long-term perspective, Russian and American interests will become similar enough to 
permit sustained cooperation.
6. Moscow’s foreign policy continues to puzzle experts who attempt to understand how Russia 
perceives its interests abroad.
7. Moscow’s policies should be aimed at strengthening the country’s own economy, its intel-
lectual and social potential.
8. Nicholas II’s wife Alexandra and Rasputin undoubtedly undermined the regime’s prestige and 
people’s trust in it, though their real influence has been widely debated.
9. No reasonable solution to any of the world’s major problems seems practicable without Mos-
cow’s support.
10. Reuters reports that the massive brown clouds from the fires in Russia and Ukraine may make 
the rapid thawing of Arctic snow and ice even worse.
11. EU foreign ministers pledged to intensify efforts to combat terrorism at EU level and enhance 
cooperation with the Muslim world,
12. Russia appears determined to preserve its tactical nuclear advantage as long as it regards 
NATO countries as a threat. 
13. Some in the EU are still hoping to find a mechanism that will create enough trust, interde-
pendence and closeness with Russia to allow for mutually beneficial co-operation in all areas.
14. The attitudes to geopolitical issues in Russia have ancient origins, dating back at least to the 
Mongol invasion in the 13
th
century. 
15. Where economically possible and profitable, the plan provides for solar and other renewable 
forms of energy.
16. The crisis made many officials pull back from claims about Russia’s inevitable return to great-
powerdom and focus instead on problems closer to home. 
17. The current energy standoff has already cost Russia a good measure of its reputation as a reli-
able partner. 
18. The government failed to meet the standards laid down by the IMF and imposed new restric-
tions on imports, exports and small business activity.
19. Top EU diplomats have denied a claim by the Russian Foreign Minister that the EU is planning 
to build a sphere of influence in the former Soviet Union and called it ‘nonsense’.
20. Unfortunately, there is no reasonable possibility to reform the UN in the way that all nations 
would unite and the eternal peace would reign on Earth.
21. The socio-economic decline is exhausting people’s patience.
22. Avoid making any claims that do not hold water.
23. Some pundits in the West chalk up Russia’s foreign policy to its obsession with a “mystic pan-
Slavic mission” and longstanding historical commitments.
Ex. 9. Complete the following sentences using the words and phrases from Ex. 4 in 
their correct form.
1. 
Any crisis management program needs a criteria based strategy that establishes a __________ 
to assess the level of crisis importance.
2. 
Approaching foreign policy with a “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” __________ is wildly 
irresponsible.

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