Russia Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Washington’s Crimea Gamble: Legalization of Annexation and Its Global Consequences

Recent revelations by The Wall Street Journal suggest that officials within the Trump administration have considered proposals to de facto recognize Crimea as part of the Russia in exchange for potential concessions from Moscow…

April 21, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Conflict National Security War crimes Warfare

The Broken Easter Ceasefire: Russia’s Rejection of Restraint in Ukraine

Calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine around Easter 2025, particularly from the United Nations and international humanitarian actors, were intended to pause hostilities during the Orthodox holiday and facilitate humanitarian…

April 20, 2025Russia, Ukraine

Geopolitics National Security Terrorism

Russia’s Recognition of the Taliban: Strategic Defiance in a New Great Game

In April 2025, Russia became the first major global power to take decisive steps toward formal recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, breaking with Western efforts to isolate the Islamist government. Though…

April 18, 2025Afghanistan, China, Russia, Taliban, USA

Geopolitics National Security

Emir of Qatar’s Visit to Moscow: A Strategic Meeting in a Shifting Global Order

The April 2025 visit of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, to Moscow marks a significant diplomatic engagement between two countries seeking to expand their influence in a…

April 17, 2025Qatar, Russia, USA

ideology National Security Propaganda and Disinformation

Militarized Memory: The Strategic Role of May 9 in Contemporary Russian Statecraft

As of April 2025, two European leaders—Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić—have confirmed their intention to attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, marking the…

April 16, 2025Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine

Intelligence ops National Security

Restricting Russian Diplomatic Movement in the Schengen Zone: Counterintelligence Measure or Diplomatic Minefield?

In response to growing concerns about Russian subversive and espionage activities in Europe, Poland and the Czech Republic have proposed limiting the movement of Russian diplomats across the Schengen area. This initiative, emerging amidst…

April 15, 2025EU, Russia, USA

- War crimes

Russian Missile Strikes on Ukrainian Civilian Targets: Strategic Aims, Political Messaging, and U.S. Response Implications

On [March,13], Russian forces launched a missile strike on the city of Sumy, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing significant casualties. The attack, far from a military front line, highlights a continuing Russian…

April 14, 2025Russia, Ukraine

Geopolitics National Security

Port of Influence: The Strategic Logic Behind Russia’s Naval Base in Sudan

The Kremlin’s renewed interest in establishing a naval base in Sudan, particularly in Port Sudan on the Red Sea, reflects a calculated move to reassert global influence, secure strategic maritime…

April 11, 2025Russia, Sudan

Geopolitics

Russia and Iran: The Limits of Strategic Partnership in the Face of Conflict

While Russia and Iran have deepened cooperation in recent years—especially through military-technical exchanges and shared opposition to Western influence—the Kremlin has signaled that it would not be obligated to support Iran…

April 8, 2025Iran, Russia

Conflict War crimes

Blood in the Shadows: Protests in the Central African Republic and the Pattern of Wagner Group Atrocities

The recent wave of protests across the Central African Republic (CAR) reflects growing public outrage at the continued presence and influence of Russian mercenaries, particularly the Wagner Group. Sparked by…

April 7, 2025CAR, Russia, Wagner Group

Russia