An analysis of some factors, such as distrust between states, fear, the phenomenon of the enemy and demonization, which have a more or less significant influence on foreign policy strategy, primarily of Western countries, is given. It is shown that the relationship between the states, the possibilities of reaching agreements on the key issues of world politics, depend to a large extent on the character, the level of their entrenchment in the minds of the ruling elite of the respective countries. A significant place is given to Russophobia as a manifestation of the demonization of Russia and its leadership.