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Nato foreign ministers have together shown how they can best fight against Russia - rhetorically. There are no consequences for such a strong verbal commitment. It is cost-free. In their emergency meeting in Brussels early this week, they discussed the recent Russian attack on Georgia and vowed to protect the sovereignty and democracy of this small state. They urged Russia to follow the signed ceasefire agreement and pull its troops out immediately. Of course, Russia is complying with the agreement but at its own pace and leisure.

It was a tough call. No Nato member wants to confront Russia either individually or collectively. Let's face it, Russia has risen and will continue to rise incessantly. It will be interesting to find out, in the near future, what other kinds of action Russia is willing to undertake. The military attack on Georgia was a new benchmark in the realm of international security. International relations theorists will have to scratch their heads to come up with an explanation why a power as gigantic as Russia would attack a small neighbouring country. Make no mistake, the Russian action was a calculated high-risk move to shape and restructure the security architecture in post-Cold War Europe and perhaps the world at large.

The Nato meeting has established the so-called "Nato-Georgia Council" to accelerate the membership of Georgia. The council will also focus on the reconstruction of Georgia's damaged economic structure and air-defence system. Whatever Nato plans to do for Georgia will not affect Russian strategic thinking. Nato leaders said that the next Nato-Russia Council will not convene in the near future. Russia's attack on Georgia has already sent a strong signal that it will not tolerate any of its former states joining the Western military alliance or witness the erosion of its influence in the "near abroad".

Russia has watched patiently over the years as its sphere of influence has been taken away in big and small chunks. What happened in Georgia was a response, disproportionate as it might be. But it is just the tip of the iceberg. One should expect more from Russia, both in Europe and elsewhere - especially in areas where there are anti-US and anti-Western sentiments, as well as in weak states.

The West has to rethink its military strategy. One can easily blame Russia for over-reacting and thinking in terms of the old Cold War. For decades, the West has failed to understand its security and strategic needs in the post-Cold War period. The West thinks that democracy will prevail and that every country aspires to this, Russia included. After the failure of its economic development model, Russia has taken to the capitalist road. Indeed, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has single-handedly reshaped Russia into a new power. Putin is like no other world leader because he will, alone if need be, stand up against the US and the West. His tough actions, not tough talk, will define Russia's place in Europe and the world.

For decades Russia challenged the West for supremacy but was badly beaten. When the Berlin Wall collapsed along with the break-up of one the world's greatest empires, it was a humiliation for the country. Like China, which perceives the world in terms of Western domination and humiliation, Russia has tried to compete with the West on its own terms. It will take time. Russia will not let go.

When Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili appeared on TV criticising Russia and appealing for help, it was a desperate call. No country will heed that appeal. With revenue from oil and gas continuing to bolster Russia's national coffers, the leaders in the Kremlin have newfound resources at their disposal. Russia's adoption of capitalism and its mode of thinking and reasoning will continue to strengthen the country beyond anyone's imagination. Deep down, Russia still wants to beat the West at its own game.