Russia
What Putin's return means for the former Soviet republics
25 May 2012
Vladimir Putin's re-election as Russia's president, and his absence from recent summits of the G8 and NATO, indicate a hardening of Russian attitudes towards the West.
What does this imply for Russia's relations with the former Soviet republics in Europe and Central Asia? The EU and NATO have little interest in...
What does this imply for Russia's relations with the former Soviet republics in Europe and Central Asia? The EU and NATO have little interest in...
The US-Russia reset is over
02 April 2012
Can the 'reset' between Russia and the US survive the return to the presidency of Vladimir Putin? Probably not, given the number of divisive issues.
Russia, China and global governance
29 February 2012
Will the 'multipolar' world have strong international institutions, or will balance-of-power politics prevail? The attitudes of Russia and China will be crucial.
Russia is not completely wrong about Syria
17 February 2012
The Kremlin may be playing realpolitik and taking pride in blocking the West in Syria, but it has drawn attention to some weaknesses in Western diplomacy.
True partners? How Russia and China see each other
13 February 2012
Beijing and Moscow share the goal of curbing US power, but will not become allies. Moscow rejects a junior role, while China sees Russia as a fading power.
Three views on modernisation and the rule of law in Russia
23 January 2012
Russia's economy is held back by corruption and a weak legal system. Three experts explain why reform is difficult, but also give cause for hope.
Russia, China and the geopolitics of energy in Central Asia
16 November 2011
China is challenging Russia's traditional dominance over Central Asia's oil and gas. The EU can help the Central Asian countries to prevent losing out in a new 'great game'.
What Libya says about the future of the transatlantic alliance
29 July 2011
Libya is the first war fought according to Barack Obama's rules, with the United States taking a back seat. The Europeans responded well: by taking decisive military action to maintain the stability of their neighbourhood.
The EU and Russia: All smiles and no action?
18 April 2011
The relationship between the EU and Russia has been warmer than it has been for year. Yet there has been little progress on a new bilateral treaty, an energy dialogue, the new modernisation partnership or security co-operation.
What should NATO’s new strategic concept say about Russia?
09 March 2011
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, NATO has strived to reduce mutual suspicions with Russia and to build a more co-operative relationship. So it is vexing that 20 years on, Russia continues to view NATO as a hostile alliance.
Who is winning Eastern Europe's great game?
19 July 2010
The US is withdrawing from the former Soviet space; the European Union struggles to be taken seriously there. Does that leave Russia free to strengthen its influence in the countries around its borders? Not necessarily, for the situation in the region is complex.
Membership for Russia a step too far for NATO?
08 July 2010
There are growing signs that Russia’s relations with NATO are on the mend. Senior Russian thinkers, some close to the government, have been cautiously talking up the possibility of Russia joining the alliance, as have several western officials and think-tanks (including the CER.)
How to reform the Russian economy
01 July 2010
Russia's economy faces tough medium-term challenges: over-dependence on oil and gas, state-dominated industries and meddlesome bureaucrats.
Shale gas and EU energy security
11 June 2010
Will unconventional gas solve Europe’s energy security problem? Many EU member-states rely a lot on Russian gas; in the case of some Central and East European countries the dependence is total.
Russia and the West: Is the reset working?
01 June 2010
There are signs that Russia is becoming less antagonistic towards the West and more inclined to work co-operatively with it. Some regard this change in behaviour as proof that the Obama administration's plan to 'reset' relations with Russia is working and that the EU's continuous efforts to engage Moscow are finally paying off.
Issue 72 - 2010
28 May 2010
- Will the Conservatives' charm offensive endure?, Charles Grant
- The euro's reality gap, Simon Tilford
- Russia and the West: Is the reset working?, Katinka Barysch, Tomas Valasek
Can and should the EU and Russia reset their relationship?
22 February 2010
Russia's oil-fuelled boom has ended and President Medvedev is calling for radical improvements to the economy. Some EU politicians are tempted to offer Russia a 'modernisation partnership' to re-launch the stalled EU-Russia relationship.
Gazprom’s uncertain outlook
18 December 2009
Many people in the EU tend to see Gazprom as a mighty giant that uses energy as a political tool on behalf of the Kremlin. They say that Russia has leverage because it controls 40 per cent of the EU’s gas imports.
NATO, Russia and European security
06 November 2009
Countries in Europe's east and north worry that Moscow is blundering into a confrontation with NATO. They have begun demanding that the alliance start preparing for a possible conflict. But are they right to be concerned?
Russia: A tale of two crises
03 July 2009
Russia’s economy has been hit hard by a triple whammy of capital outflows, collapsing oil prices and falling global demand. In the first three months of the year, output was down by 10 per cent compared with a year earlier. The retail boom that had fuelled growth in recent years has turned into a slump.