CHRISTIAN NITESCU, STUDENT

Absolutely. But the underlying economic, political and institutional elements that would facilitate heavy investment by the West need to be present, and of course the criminal component is something that's always in the back of every Western businessman's mind.

MONICA FLORESCU, STUDENT

Yes, absolutely. You have to develop basic business skills, starting from the grassroots level. So even micro-enterprise entrepreneurial stuff is very important.

VICTORIA SIMANOVSKAYA, STUDENT

I wouldn't say it is necessary, but it's worthwhile for sure. The country does have a great potential, but if somebody goes there he or she has to be very careful and do some homework. I think they could get some benefits out of that, of course. I guess now it would be as good a time as ever; the economic conditions there are better than in 1998.

GARLAND AUDILET, ENTREPRENEUR

I think so. I am no expert by any means, but I have been traveling in Russia a lot – in Moscow and St. Petersburg – and I think things are really improving over there. Yes, I would say people should invest.

PHILLIP HUMICKY, PHOTOGRAPHER

Oh, definitely. It serves two purposes. First, it can create jobs for the Russians in Russia, and two, it's good for the United States because American companies can be economically successful outside of our own borders. So, I think it is a win-win situation.

JIM CREEVY, STUDENT

Well, since a lot of the wealth in the world is concentrated in America, I think we should reach out and help out less-fortunate countries, and Russia is one of them, especially since the Cold War ended. So I think it's our duty to help Russian people.