Many in Moscow believe that the system of arms control created during the Cold War was advantageous to the West—and they want that to change.

Russian companies are not only selling more metals to China, but also integrating their value chains with Chinese firms.

A successful peace agreement with Azerbaijan would mean Armenia would have more options and would be able to lessen its historical dependence on Russia and pursue a stronger partnership with the West. A continuation of the status quo gives Russia more opportunities to reapply its traditional levers of control.  

Although mass repressive measures against emigres are regularly discussed in the corridors of power, none of these ideas have been introduced, possibly because the Russian regime is not interested in scaring away the entire diaspora. Instead, it needs to lure certain individuals back home while continuing to pressure “troublemakers” abroad.

For Moscow, the significance of the Hungarian leader’s most recent visit had nothing to do with any peace proposal he may have put to Putin. It simply proved to the Kremlin that Russia is treading a similar path to the one it followed after 2014: from international outcast to a reestablishment of relations.

Why Soviet-Style Military Spending—and State Intervention—Won’t Save Russia

Moscow prefers to ignore occasional backsliding by its ‘Serbian friends’ as it sees the relationship with Belgrade as crucial to sustaining the semblance of Russian influence in the Balkans.

Vladimir Putin is seeking reckless new ways to impose costs on the US and its allies

The sanctions deployed against Russia have failed to break Vladimir Putin’s war machine, and now the West is looking for ways to make them more potent. In doing so, Western policymakers should remain clear-eyed about potential risks and side effects.

Russia-China competition and an expanded membership have turned the Eurasian security grouping into little more than a talking shop.