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

Ukraine

Toward a Settlement of the Russia-Ukraine War

To bring Russia to the negotiating table and end the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin needs to believe time is no longer on his side. Here's what the Trump administration needs to do to make that happen.

Article by Thomas Graham January 22, 2025
Grand Strategy

A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Eurasia Challenge, With Hal Brands

Hal Brands, Henry A. Kissinger distinguished professor of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern World, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how and why control of Eurasia affects U.S. national security. This episode is the fifth in a continuing TPI series on U.S. grand strategy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Hal Brands January 21, 2025 The President’s Inbox
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire, Trump’s First Immigration Moves, Russia’s and Iran’s New Partnership, and More

Israel and Hamas reach a cease-fire deal aimed at exchanging hostages and prisoners while seeking a longer-term pause in fighting; the incoming Donald Trump administration weighs ambitious moves on immigration; Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin sign off on a twenty-year partnership agreement; and students in Serbia protest violations of civil rights.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins January 16, 2025 The World Next Week

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

Foreign Policy

The World Trump Will Inherit

Donald Trump will reenter the White House to face a world racked by historic conflicts and humanitarian crises, but the United States, fueled by its economic strength, remains uniquely poised to influence these and other global challenges.

Article by Michael Froman January 10, 2025
Russia

The China-Russia Relationship and Its Global Implications

The relationship between Russia and the People’s Republic of China continues to dominate headlines, news stories, and conversations in the American foreign policy community. Analysts continue to discuss the quality and depth of the relationship, how it’s perceived around the world, and what, if anything, the United States can do about it. The CFR China Strategy Initiative is pleased to invite members to the inaugural meeting of its China 360 program: a two-part event on China-Russia Relations. Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine, in a keynote session, discuss their new Council Special Report, No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy. Following their insights, CFR experts discuss the view and implications of Beijing and Moscow’s relationship for the rest of the world.

Virtual Event by Elliott Abrams , Robert D. Blackwill , Liana Fix , Richard H. Fontaine Jr., Michelle Gavin , Shannon K. O'Neil , Rush Doshi and Bay Fang January 8, 2025
Ukraine

Neutrality: An Alternative to Ukraine’s Membership in NATO

While Ukraine’s acceptance into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) appears unattainable, armed neutrality may be the country’s next best option to protect against future Russian aggression.

Article by Eugene Rumer January 7, 2025

China Strategy Initiative

China, Russia, and Ukraine: December 2024

China and Russia are deepening energy ties, with natural gas exports exceeding contractual agreements. At the same time, in face of economic pressures, Russia is selling stakes in uranium deposits to Chinese companies, bolstering Beijing’s regional influence. Western nations have imposed more sanctions on Chinese companies aiding Russia’s military and are increasingly concerned by Chinese and Russian activity in the Arctic.

Article by Anya Konstantinovsky January 2, 2025 China Strategy Initiative
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
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