• Insight by Katinka Barysch, 19 July 2010

    The US is withdrawing from the former Soviet space; the European Union struggles to be taken seriously there. Does that leave Russia free to strengthen its influence in the countries around its borders? Not necessarily, for the situation in the region is complex.

  • Insight by Tomas Valasek, 08 July 2010

    There are growing signs that Russia’s relations with NATO are on the mend. Senior Russian thinkers, some close to the government, have been cautiously talking up the possibility of Russia joining the alliance, as have several western officials and think-tanks (including the CER.)

  • Policy brief by Sergei Guriev, 01 July 2010

    Russia's economy faces tough medium-term challenges: over-dependence on oil and gas, state-dominated industries and meddlesome bureaucrats.

  • Insight by Katinka Barysch, 11 June 2010

    Will unconventional gas solve Europe’s energy security problem? Many EU member-states rely a lot on Russian gas; in the case of some Central and East European countries the dependence is total.

  • Bulletin article by Katinka Barysch, 01 June 2010

    There are signs that Russia is becoming less antagonistic towards the West and more inclined to work co-operatively with it. Some regard this change in behaviour as proof that the Obama administration's plan to 'reset' relations with Russia is working and that the EU's continuous efforts to engage Moscow are finally paying off.

  • Opinion piece by Tomas Valasek
    Financial Times, 27 April 2010

    The new Ukrainian president has got off to a bad start in foreign policy terms. Last week, Viktor Yanukovich signed a lease agreement with Moscow that will allow the Russian Black Sea Fleet to stay in Ukraine for at least another 32 years.

  • Policy brief by Katinka Barysch, 22 February 2010

    Russia's oil-fuelled boom has ended and President Medvedev is calling for radical improvements to the economy. Some EU politicians are tempted to offer Russia a 'modernisation partnership' to re-launch the stalled EU-Russia relationship.

  • Insight by Katinka Barysch, 18 December 2009

    Many people in the EU tend to see Gazprom as a mighty giant that uses energy as a political tool on behalf of the Kremlin. They say that Russia has leverage because it controls 40 per cent of the EU’s gas imports.