Russia

Here’s One Practical Way to Save Ukraine

By Andreas Umland

Stimulating Ukraine’s economy is a key goal of the reforms that are underway in Kyiv. Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) should enable better economic management and freer trade. But there’s an important precondition for growth: investor confidence. Domestic businessmen and foreign investors must feel sufficiently motivated to spend their money, time, and […]

The Muddled Thinking at the G-7 Only Encourages Putin

By Stephen Blank

Leaders at the recent G-7 summit reaffirmed their commitment to keeping sanctions on Russia in place. They also agreed that sanctions will likely be extended until 2016 because Russia has failed to implement the Minsk II ceasefire agreement. But the summit ended on a disappointing note: The summit communiqué and all the G-7 leaders indicated […]

Is Russia’s Brinkmanship the New Norm?

By Phil Ewing, Politico

The chill between Russia and the West has brought Cold War-style military brinkmanship roaring back — with a 21st century twist.

Russian Military Aircraft Buzzes NATO Warships

By Barbara Star, CNN

In a still publicly unacknowledged incident, a Russian military surveillance aircraft flew close to four NATO warships in the Baltic Sea on Thursday,

Hadley: Ukraine Faces ‘Enormous Existential Challenge’

The United States and its European allies must dramatically step up efforts to help the Ukrainian people defend themselves from Russian President Vladimir Putin and his proxies in eastern Ukraine, said Stephen J. Hadley, who served as National Security Adviser under US President George W. Bush. Hadley, speaking June 13 at the Atlantic Council’s Wroclaw […]

Non-Military Options for Stopping Further Russian Aggression in Ukraine

By David Horn and Marik String, Foreign Affairs

To date, the United States has “blocked” approximately 130 Russian and Ukrainian officials, businessmen, separatists, and companies.

Don’t Fall for Putin’s Game, Warn European Officials

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Kremlin strategy seen rooted in distracting West with propaganda and splintering alliance Russian President Vladimir Putin has a strategy clearly aimed at dividing the Western alliance arrayed against him and this must not be allowed to succeed, two European officials said June 12. “If we understand that one of the goals of Mr. Putin is […]

Polish Leaders Urge Solidarity for Ukraine

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Officials stress they don’t seek confrontation with Russia Top Polish officials June 12 exhorted the transatlantic community to show solidarity with countries bearing the brunt of Russia’s aggression, but stressed that they do not seek a confrontation with Moscow. “The European response to the situation in the east can be driven as much by our […]

Infographic: Transformation of NATO Forces After Wales Summit

Explanation and analysis of changes in the Alliance after the NATO summit in Wales.