USA Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Buffer Zone or Expanding Front? Putin’s Strategic Shift in Ukraine and the Contradiction of Trump’s Narrative

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently declared that Russia may need to create a “buffer zone” inside Ukrainian territory to protect Russian border regions from drone and artillery attacks. This statement, while framed…

May 23, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics National Security

Strategic Withdrawal or Global Recalibration? Trump’s Distance from Ukraine Negotiations and Direct Talks with Hamas

Donald Trump’s decision to distance himself from negotiations surrounding the war in Ukraine—while simultaneously engaging in direct talks with Hamas—marks a major shift in American foreign policy behavior under his…

May 21, 2025Israel, Ukraine, USA

Democracy Geopolitics Governance Intelligence ops National Security

“Viktor Orbán’s Russian Alignment: A Threat from Within the European Union”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has pursued a foreign and domestic policy agenda that increasingly diverges from the European Union’s core values and strategic goals. His deepening alliance with Russian…

May 20, 2025Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics Peacekeeping

Beyond Istanbul: Strategic Steps for the Coalition if Putin Refuses Engagement

The Istanbul negotiations have been positioned as a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. However, the likelihood of meaningful progress remains slim, especially as signals…

May 15, 2025Russia, Turkiye, Ukraine, USA

Conflict Geopolitics Peacekeeping

The Istanbul Negotiations: Composition, Strategy, and Implications of the Russian Delegation

The renewed negotiations in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine have attracted international attention as a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict. While the outcomes remain uncertain, the composition of the…

May 14, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics

Strategic Silence: China’s Support for a Ceasefire in Ukraine and Its Geopolitical Calculations

Beijing's growing diplomatic engagement around the war in Ukraine, particularly its advocacy for a ceasefire, has raised significant questions regarding its strategic motives and the broader geopolitical consequences. While China presents…

May 12, 2025China, Russia, Ukraine, USA

Corruption Democracy Geoeconomics Geopolitics

Hungary’s Balancing Act: Strategic Risks of Budapest’s Covert Ties with Russia

Hungary under Viktor Orbán has become a geopolitical pivot point where Russian oil money, Chinese strategic investments, and American capital intersect. This convergence presents serious risks to both the European…

May 2, 2025China, Hungary, Russia, USA

Economy Geoeconomics

“Critical Ground: The Geopolitics of U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Cooperation Amid War”

The U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement is not just economic—it is strategic. It aims to reduce American and Western dependency on China and Russia for critical raw materials. Washington sees Ukraine’s mineral wealth…

May 1, 2025Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics National Security

Ukraine’s Path to NATO: Legality, Obstruction, and Strategic Consequences

Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO has long been a focal point in the Euro-Atlantic security debate. While the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty (Washington Treaty) clearly states that any European country sharing NATO's democratic…

April 24, 2025NATO, Ukraine, USA

Geopolitics Governance National Security

A Dangerous Precedent: The Risks of U.S. Recognition of Russian-Occupied Ukrainian Territories

The U.S. has privately floated the possibility of Ukraine accepting the de facto loss of some of its territories—especially Crimea—as part of a ceasefire or peace proposal with Russia during…

April 23, 2025Russia, Ukraine, USA

USA