As the Group of Eight meets in St. Petersburg , Russia , it is hard to find any positive perspectives on Russia in the American press. As a Russian-American, I have long been perplexed by the lack of insight Americans have for Russians' dilemma.

After the demise of communism, Russia had no foundation on which to build a concept of "democracy." America 's grandiose statements about "freedom" and "democracy" were in a conceptual language unfamiliar to Russian ears.

President Vladimir Putin is the right man for the right job at this point in Russian history. He has a comprehensive vision for taking the country forward.

His actions and Russia 's uneven efforts at self-sufficiency may draw the ire of the Western — particularly the American — press. But much is also wrong with American policy toward Russia .

How could we expect democracy, as we understand it, to take root in a country with a long-standing heritage, from czarist to Stalinist times, of hierarchical top-down planning and autocracy? Was it reasonable to expect Russia to morph suddenly into a participatory democracy?

It takes years of exposure to the notion, and a lot of practice, to be a comfortable citizen of a democratic state with a shared concept of the "common good." Let's be honest. Are we always successful in our own efforts?

Perhaps it is time to recognize that we may sometimes seem to speak with a "forked tongue" when we talk of freedom of the press, transparency and other high-sounding objectives to masses of people who regret losing the security of their past.

The long-standing U.S. policy of engaging Russia can work in the best interests of the West and of Russia . Our interests are complementary, and Russia stands as a potential collaborator in the desire for a stable and predictable world economy.

Let's stop asking Russians, and President Putin, to dance to our tune. If we do, both of us can prosper and flourish.