Russia | Council on Foreign Relations

The Significance of the Putin-Kim Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin's 2024 visit to North Korea, his first since 2000, signifies the ongoing strengthening of bilateral ties. Whether this is a short-term expedience or the start of a true security alliance remains to be seen.

Post by Sue Mi Terry Jun 18, 2024

What Does Putin Really Want in Ukraine?

Russia’s early setbacks in its invasion of Ukraine could have foreclosed on some of President Vladimir Putin’s sweeping war objectives, but he is unlikely to relent given the conflict’s momentum.

Expert Brief by Thomas Graham May 16, 2024

How NATO’s Summit Sends Signal to Critics

As NATO leaders convene in Washington, the Biden administration will seek to fend off criticism of the summit from Putin, the U.S. Congress, and Ukraine itself.

Expert Brief by Stephen Sestanovich Jul 2, 2024

Ukraine’s Struggle for Independence in Russia’s Shadow

Ukraine has shown resilience and perseverance despite facing multiple challenges and Russian interference since it achieved independence in 1991. Russia’s threats have culminated in the annexation of Crimea and Europe’s biggest land battle in eighty years.

Timeline by CFR.org Editors Feb 23, 2024

America’s New Cold Wars, With David Sanger

David Sanger, the White House and national security correspondent for the New York Times, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how the post-Cold War ended and why the new era of geopolitical rivalry began.

Podcast by James M. Lindsay, David E. Sanger, Ester Fang, and Gabrielle Sierra May 21, 2024

India

India Between Superpowers: Strategic Autonomy in the Shadow of a Pacific Conflict

As tensions escalate between the United States and China, India’s long-standing policy of strategic autonomy is increasingly under strain.

Post by Davide Donald December 16, 2024 Asia Unbound
Ukraine

Tighter Sanctions Can Help End the Russia-Ukraine War

Donald Trump has promised to secure a just peace between Russia and Ukraine in his second term. His success or failure will depend on whether the West can give Russia a reason to negotiate in good faith —by mustering the will to tighten sanctions.

Article by Edward Fishman December 13, 2024
China

Where the China-Russia Partnership Is Headed in Seven Charts and Maps

Beijing’s and Moscow’s relationship has strengthened militarily, economically, and diplomatically in the past two decades, demonstrating their commitment to a “no limits” partnership.

Article by Clara Fong and Will Merrow December 12, 2024

Experts in this Region

Robert D. Blackwill

Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy

Liana Fix

Fellow for Europe

Thomas Graham

Distinguished Fellow

Charles A. Kupchan

Senior Fellow

Stephen Sestanovich

George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies

Brazil

What Is the BRICS Group and Why Is It Expanding?

As BRICS grows in both membership and global sway, its expansion comes with divisions among its members old and new on how to set the stage for a revised world order.

Backgrounder by Mariel Ferragamo December 12, 2024
China Strategy Initiative

No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy

China and Russia’s quasi-alliance endangers U.S. national interests. Its management will prove a generational task for American policymakers—but there are grounds for optimism, argue CFR Senior Fellow Robert Blackwill and Center for a New American Security CEO Richard Fontaine.

Council Special Report by Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine December 12, 2024 China Strategy Initiative
Syria

What Assad’s Fall Means for Russia in the Middle East

The flight of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to exile in Russia poses a major strategic challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Kremlin’s influence in Syria and the region should not be downplayed yet.

Expert Brief by Thomas Graham December 10, 2024 Europe Program

Ukraine

A Conversation With Former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba of Ukraine

Dmytro Kuleba discusses Ukraine’s strategic position in the war with Russia, and evaluates how the incoming Donald Trump administration might influence Ukraine’s international relations and policies. This meeting is part of the Council Special Initiative on Securing Ukraine’s Future and is part of the Wachenheim Program on Peace and Security. The program is made possible by the generous support of the Sue and Edgar Wachenheim Foundation. For those attending virtually, log-in information and instructions on how to participate during the question and answer portion will be provided the evening before the event to those who register. Please note the audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.

Virtual Event by Dmytro Kuleba and Paula J. Dobriansky December 9, 2024
Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy

The New, Broader Alliance of Autocracies

As a growing alliance of autocratic states deepens its cooperation to challenge democracies worldwide, its expanding influence remains largely overlooked by policymakers.

Post by Joshua Kurlantzick December 9, 2024 Asia Unbound
Syria

What Role Is Turkey Playing in Syria’s Civil War?

Turkey opposes the Assad regime, but the fall of the government could disrupt Ankara’s aims to reverse refugee flows and defeat Kurdish forces in Syria’s north.

Expert Brief by Henri J. Barkey December 6, 2024
Ukraine

A Conversation With Former President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko

Petro Poroshenko discusses Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia and the role of U.S. and NATO support. Please note there is no virtual component to the meeting. The audio, video, and transcript of this meeting will be posted on the CFR website.

Event with Petro Poroshenko and Liana Fix December 2, 2024
Ukraine

It Is Not Too Late: A Case for Long-Range Strikes Against Russia

President Joe Biden's decision to loosen restrictions on the use of U.S.-supplied long-range missile systems could give Ukraine a window of opportunity to make strategic gains in its war against Russia.

Article by Douglas Lute November 26, 2024
China Strategy Initiative

China-Russia Relations: November 2024

As North Korean troops mobilized to fight in Ukraine this month, the United States and its NATO allies urged China to intervene and prevent further escalation. However, China remained passive and continued to present itself as an arbiter of peace on the global stage as its close diplomatic and military cooperation with Russia advanced unimpeded.

Article by Anya Konstantinovsky and Molly Carlough November 22, 2024 China Strategy Initiative
Ukraine

U.S. ATACMS for Ukraine, COP29 Wraps Up, Cease-Fire Negotiations in Lebanon, and More

The White House authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-made, long-range army tactical missile systems (ATACMS) missiles to hit targets within Russian territory; the UN climate change conference (COP29) wraps up in Baku, Azerbaijan, where progress on climate finance has been notably slow; negotiations for a cease-fire continues in the Middle East, with hopes for an agreement between Israel and Hezbollah; and thousands protest for Māori rights throughout New Zealand.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 21, 2024 The World Next Week
Ukraine

Virtual Media Briefing: Update on the Russia-Ukraine War—Will U.S. Long-Range Missiles Change the Equation?

CFR experts discuss the implications of President Joe Biden authorizing Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles against targets inside of Russia, and the prospects for the Ukraine-Russia war under President-Elect Donald Trump.

Virtual Event by Max Boot , Liana Fix , Charles A. Kupchan and Elise Labott November 20, 2024 Media Briefings
Ukraine

Ukraine’s ATACMS: What Will the U.S. Missiles Mean for the War?

President Joe Biden has given the green light for Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missile systems to strike deep inside Russian territory. What could it mean for the course of the war?

Expert Brief by Max Boot November 18, 2024 National Security and Defense Program