“The average Russian of mature age today may some day have the moral satisfaction of seeing his government exercise a power unprecedented in history over the land masses of Asia and Europe. But it is not likely that he will ever know the comforts, in the line of housing, clothing, and other conveniences of civilized living, comparable to those that have existed in the advanced countries of the West. That renunciation of comfort is his involuntary contribution to something: either to the future comfort of his own children or to the increased military power of Russia. He hopes — and we hope with him — that it will not be only the latter.”

— George F. Kennan

Memoirs 1925 - 1950 (1967), Russia — Seven Years Later (September 1944)

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George F. Kennan 46

American advisor, diplomat, political scientist and histori… 1904–2005

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