Council of Councils
Think Global Health
Online Store
Europe and Eurasia
Russia
-
Growing Conflict and Uncertain Alliances: On the Future of European SecurityOn the eighty-first anniversary of D-Day, CFR President Michael Froman and senior fellows discuss the Trump administration’s diminished appetite for engagement in European security affairs—even as the Russia-Ukraine war drags on.
-
The Senate’s New Ukraine Bill Will Not Work—But Here Is How to Fix ItThe Sanctioning Russia Act would impose history’s highest tariffs and tank the global economy. Congress needs a better approach, one that strengthens existing sanctions and adds new measures the current bill ignores.
-
Comparing the Size and Capabilities of the Russian and Ukrainian MilitariesRussia holds a sizable advantage over Ukraine on troop numbers and weaponry yet the two sides have fought to a standstill. Russia this spring has ramped up attacks on civilian targets while resisting U.S. ceasefire calls.
Experts in this Region
-
Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web Shows Future of Drone WarfareUkraine said it had used 117 drones to target airfields deep in Russian territory. The daring attack demonstrated low-cost precision strikes accessible to almost any state or militant group.
-
Three Years of War in Ukraine: Are Sanctions Against Russia Making a Difference?The United States and its allies have imposed broad economic penalties on Russia over its war in Ukraine. As the conflict continues, experts debate whether the sanctions are working.
-
Paul C. Warnke Lecture on International Security: Zbig—The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Great Power ProphetEdward Luce discusses his new book, Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Great Power Prophet. During the Cold War, the Polish-born scholar and presidential counselor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, was a central figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy and helping to orchestrate the Soviet Union’s eventual collapse. Luce believes that Brzezinski’s legacy embodies the rise of foreign-born intellectuals in Washington’s strategic elite and is a powerful but often underappreciated thread in the story of America’s global ascendancy. The Paul C. Warnke Lecture on International Security was established in 2002 and is endowed by a number of Council members and the family and friends of Paul C. Warnke. The lecture commemorates his legacy of courageous service to the nation and international peace. If you wish to attend 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 hybrid meeting will be posted on the CFR website. Members may bring a guest to this event.
-
Reflecting on Post-Soviet Russia and America TodayPanelists compare 1990s Russia and the first decade of the 21st century with the U.S. political landscape today in a complex and changing world order. 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. This meeting is part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy.
-
What’s at Stake in Romania’s 2025 Elections?Romania will hold its rescheduled presidential elections in May in what could be a major test for the country’s democracy after the earlier results were annulled due to charges of Russian interference.
-
Russia-China-Ukraine: April 2025This April, China increased its imports of Russian liquified natural gas. The two countries are collaborating on a project to fuel the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) using a nuclear power plant. Tensions between China and Ukraine have risen as Zelenskyy claims Chinese nationals are fighting at the front.
-
What’s the Deal with Trump’s Ukraine Mineral Agreement?The new agreement will allow the United States to share in future revenue earned from Ukraine’s critical mineral reserves. It is seen as a way to tie the United States—and Trump—to Ukraine’s future.
-
Is a Russia-Ukraine Cease-Fire Deal Slipping Away From Trump?Senior U.S. and French officials are meeting in Paris this week as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to negotiate a cease-fire in Ukraine—but the chances of that deal becoming a reality appear increasingly slim.
-
Russia-China-Ukraine: March 2025China, Russia, and Iran met to call for an end to U.S. Sanctions on Iran and conducted joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman. China continues to present itself as a potential peace-broker in the Russia-Ukraine war but has openly refrained from joining the Coalition of the Willing. It has slightly pulled back from its purchases of Russian oil and developed rail lines that bypass Russia.
-
The President’s Inbox Recap: The New Era of Economic WarfareThe United States leveraged its dominance of the global financial system to deploy powerful sanctions against adversaries, but excessive use risks diminishing their strength.
-
Hauser Symposium: The Axis of AutocraciesIn recent years, China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have deepened their cooperation, raising concerns about an emerging “Axis of Autocracies” challenging U.S. global leadership. From military support and weapons transfers to economic backing, these alliances are reshaping the geopolitical landscape. This symposium will examine the extent of their collaboration, its global implications, and how the United States should respond to the threats it poses to U.S. national security. Click here to view the full agenda. This Hauser Symposium is made possible by the generous support of the Hauser Foundation. If you wish to attend 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 hybrid event will be posted on the CFR website.
-
What Would Greenland’s Independence Mean for U.S. Interests?The island’s residents have voted in favor of a party that seeks gradual independence from Denmark. But Greenland has attracted significant attention from President Trump, who sees the island’s considerable mineral wealth and location in the Arctic as necessary for U.S. national security.