Consequences of failure in Caucasus will impact everyone: U.S. Vice President

"Ten years from now, where we are...are in that region of the world will be the real measure and test that our grandchildren are going to apply as to whether or not we succeeded in making a real change in the world in this 21st century. So, I think everyone's seized with the consequence of not making progress in that region of the world. Therefore, because so many are focused on it, I'm more hopeful than I am pessimistic," Biden said in an interview with RFE/RL. 

According to Biden, it presents great danger and great opportunity to the West. And that's what great nations and great alliances do. They take advantage of, in a positive way, these changes to make them opportunities. "This is an opportunity. I compliment Secretary Clinton -- you saw what's happened between Turkey and Armenia, as you mentioned, you see what's happening now in other long and festering disputes...," Biden added.

What's happening, from my perspective, is that people in the region are beginning to understand their self-interest lies in greater cooperation now. "Not out of love and affection, but out of necessity and opportunity. And at the same time, Europe is waking up -- I shouldn't say waking up, I don't mean it in a critical sense -- Europe is beginning to focus on how, in fact, they can play a constructive role in providing for access to their markets of the great natural resources that rest there," Biden said.

This is going to be a very difficult period, Biden believes. "It is fraught with danger, but I would argue it's fraught with more opportunity than danger. And I see more positive things happening than negative things happening. So we're working with our friends in Turkey, we're working with our friends in Europe, we're working with the various states in Central Europe and the Caucasus that are dealing with a real transition here," he added.

According to the U.S. Vice President, Russia, like the United States, like all countries, is responding to a changed world.

"Not through anyone's fault. We're at one of those inflection points in history, and Russia is deciding on its new identity, its new role. We think Russia is a major power, a major player, and could be a major force for positive progress," Biden added.

"But Russia is going through, just like we are, dealing with difficult economic times, dealing with a political system that is emerging... Let me put it this way. I look at Russia with eyes wide open, as a realist. And my expectation is that Russia will decide over the next decade that its interest lies in more integration rather than what some in Russia seem to be thinking may be a different course. So we just have to keep the dialogue going," he said.

But there are certain things that are not up for compromise with us, Biden believes. "That is the notion of a sphere of influence, and the notion of being able to veto. But you know, these are changing times, and it requires us, as the president says, to talk, but also be realistic. And I still think there is more hope than there is danger," Biden said.