Storm clouds gathering over Russia.

• Position: Worldview

A vast majority of elites in Europe and the U.S. are concerned about Russia's retreat from democracy, according to a survey released by Germany's Aspen Institute Berlin.

Those surveyed agree that growing authoritarianism in the country, as illustrated by, among other things, the prosecution of former Yukos Oil Company CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky, is "problematic for the West." However, the survey found less agreement among key thought leaders as to what specific policy measures should be employed by the West, or what impact the retreat will have on Russia's investment climate.

Respondents included representatives of key government ministries, those who influence policy in the think tank and nongovernmental organizations community, members of the news media, and institutional investors. "Influential audiences in the West are taking developments in Russia seriously," notes Jeffrey Gedmin, director of the Aspen Institute. "They see the deterioration of the rule of law and Russian interference with their neighboring states, and they strongly believe that these kinds of trends have a negative impact on the West."

Key findings include:

* 56% in the U.S. and Eastern Europe believe Russia is trending less democratic, while 46% in Western Europe see this negative inclination.

* Over 90% in each region believe that the status of Russian democracy is...