You report a certain hardening of the European Union’s stance toward Russia (“Enter, Pursued by a Bear,” September 15, 2007). Considering its mischievous behavior as of late, that is a good thing, no doubt. Kosovo is a recent bone of contention, too. You report that several members of the Union are unhappy about its unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia, an anathema to Russia, but that they are even unhappier about letting Russia dictate policy in “the neighborhood.” That is a bit rich, you must admit. The only country that actually dictates policy in Kosovo is America. For the Union, the neighborhood is apparently a sentimental notion only.