Ukraine Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Nicaragua’s Recognition of Donbas as Russian Territory: Motivations, Alignments, and Consequences

I. IntroductionIn a notable gesture of support for Russia’s international posture, Nicaragua has formally recognized the occupied Donbas territories as Russian. This development reinforces Nicaragua’s pattern of opposing Western-backed resolutions in…

July 31, 2025Nicaragua, Russia, Ukraine

Conflict Geopolitics

Trump’s 50-Day Peace Proposal to Moscow: Motivations, Feasibility, and Strategic Calculations

Donald Trump’s alleged backchannel proposal to the Kremlin to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days reflects a high-stakes political maneuver aimed at reframing the U.S. position on the…

July 15, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics National Security Warfare

China Assists Russia in Gunpowder Production for War against Ukraine

Despite declaring neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, Beijing continues to contribute to the development of Russia’s military capabilities. China is stepping up its scientific and technological partnership with Russia. In…

July 14, 2025China, Russia, Ukraine

Geopolitics Governance Psyops

Diplomacy as Cover: How Trump’s Calls with Putin Coincide with Russia’s Escalating Strikes on Ukraine

The resumption of high-level communication between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin—particularly via direct phone calls—has sparked concern among analysts and U.S. allies. These calls are frequently followed by intensified Russian…

July 4, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Geoeconomics Geopolitics National Security

U.S. Sanctions Lifted on Rosatom: The Case of Hungary’s Paks II Nuclear Power Plant

The Biden administration has quietly authorized a sanctions exemption for Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom to allow completion of Hungary’s Paks II nuclear power plant. This move, occurring amid ongoing Western sanctions on Russia…

June 30, 2025Hungary, Rosatom, Russia, Ukraine, USA

ecology Geoeconomics Geopolitics National Security

Hungary’s Sanctions Evasion Nexus: Economic Ties with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as a Backdoor for Russia

Hungary’s economic engagement with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan appears smooth on the surface, but it plays a deeper role in enabling Russia to circumvent Western sanctions. Both Central Asian nations formally condemned…

June 6, 2025EU, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

Conflict Geopolitics National Security

U.S. Response to Ukrainian UAV Strikes on Russian Airfields: Kellogg’s View, Strategic Implications, and Geopolitical Calculus

The Ukrainian UAV strikes on Russian airfields housing strategic bombers mark a significant evolution in the war’s trajectory, highlighting Kyiv’s capacity to reach deep into Russian territory. U.S. National Security…

June 4, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Conflict Geopolitics National Security

The Istanbul Negotiations: Russia’s Strategy of Undermining Peace Talks and the Limits of Diplomacy

The Istanbul negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, held in March 2022, initially raised cautious optimism about the possibility of a diplomatic resolution to the war. However, they ultimately failed to…

June 3, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics Governance

Why Russia Is Not Contractually Capable

Russia’s capacity to act as a trustworthy and legally compliant contracting party has eroded significantly due to its widespread violations of international law, politicization of contracts, weaponization of energy and trade, disregard…

May 28, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Conflict Geopolitics Propaganda and Disinformation

Russian Recruitment of Togolese Citizens and the Revival of Neo-Colonial Militarism in Africa

As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its third year, the Kremlin has expanded its global recruitment strategy, increasingly drawing from African nations like Togo to supplement its depleted manpower. Under the guise of…

May 26, 2025Russia, Togo, Ukraine

Ukraine