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Grounded: Poland-Russia Relations
Judy Dempsey, Carnegie Europe
Following the fatal 2010 crash in Russia of a plane carrying Poland’s president and other top officials, Russian-Polish relations actually became stronger. But due to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Ukraine, bilateral ties are deteriorating fast. The 2010 plane crash remains relevant in Polish politics today, since Russia has refused to return the remains of the aircraft. What effect will this event have on Polish presidential elections in May and on Russia’s relations with Poland going forward?
Sino-Russian Relations and the Lessons of 1996
Gregory Shtraks, The Diplomat
Putting Sino-Russian relations in the context of history and against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict provides clues about the future of ties between Russia, China, and the U.S.
In Exile, but Ready to Save Russia
Ilya Ponomarev, The New York Times
Self-exiled State Duma deputy and outspoken dissident Ilya Ponomarev writes about the Duma’s decision to revoke his legislative immunity and his potential prosecution on charges of misappropriation of public funds, which he believes are a result of his criticism of the Kremlin.
Ruble on the Rebound
Jamila Trindle, Foreign Policy
The Russian ruble strengthened faster than any other currency in early 2015 despite Western sanctions targeting the Russian economy. But how will the ruble fare going forward, amid historically low oil prices and the conflict in Ukraine? How will the ruble exchange rate affect investment in Russia and the status of its economy under sanctions?
Russia’s Missile Moves Explained: the S-300 Challenge
Dmitri Trenin, The National Interest
Russia’s decision to lift the ban on the sale of S-300 missiles to Iran has clear implications for its future relations with Iran. If the Kremlin ultimately supplies the weapons as planned, the move will also affect ties with the U.S. and Israel. Relations with Iran will shape Russia’s re-emerging presence in the Middle East.
How to Avert Nuclear War
James E. Cartwright and Vladimir Dvorkin, The New York Times
Tensions over the use of nuclear weapons have reappeared in U.S.-Russia relations. These tensions were amplified when Putin raised the possibility of placing nuclear facilities on high alert due to the crisis in Ukraine. What kind of policy should the two countries have regarding the possible use of nuclear arms?
Gazprom: Moscow’s Foreign Policy Tool
Christian F. Trippe, DW
Russia’s use of Gazprom as a political tool and its control over European gas supplies is well understood. But some recent actions by the energy giant diverge from its past strategies and instead feed Putin’s political agenda in new ways. Gazprom’s newest proposed project, the so-called “Turkish Stream” gas pipeline, is designed to extend Russia’s grasp over the western Balkans and Hungary.
Countering Putin’s Information Weapons of War
Ed Royce, The Wall Street Journal
The U.S. has been unable to keep up with Vladimir Putin’s “trolls” who distribute pro-Putin and anti-Western information on blogs and websites. This same information is distributed in Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries in an attempt to attract support from abroad. The tactics the U.S. uses to counter this propaganda need to change, or Russia will continue to gain support and persuade people of its views.
This week's roundup was compiled by Seraphima Mixon, Liza Layer and Caitlin Thompson.
