Europe and Eurasia

Russia

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.

Blog 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

Podcast
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

Experts in this Region

Robert D. Blackwill

Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy

Dr. Liana Fix Headshot
Liana Fix

Fellow for Europe

Thomas Graham Headshot
Thomas Graham

Distinguished Fellow

Charles A. Kupchan
Charles A. Kupchan

Senior Fellow

Stephen Sestanovich

George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies

  • 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
    Play
    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.
    Blog Post by Joshua Kurlantzick December 9, 2024 Asia Unbound