Russia’s military build-up in Belarus could be Nato’s next flashpoint
Up to 30,000 Russian troops are stationed in Belarus. The Baltic states fear they may never leave.
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Discover the latest New Statesman content on Russia, exploring the politics, culture and economy of the nation. Insightful coverage and analysis of the war in Ukraine and Putin’s presidency.
Lionel Barber’s Diary: Boris Johnson’s new leaf, inflation fears, and being headhunted by Ofcom
We are led to believe the Prime Minister is about to drop the habits of a lifetime, but the changes…
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How Russia’s neighbours are turning against Putin
The more Vladimir Putin tries to bring post-Soviet states closer to Moscow, the more he repels them. Is the Russian…
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Hoping to stave off war in Ukraine, Macron goes to Moscow
The French president is perhaps better placed than most Western leaders to talk to Vladimir Putin.
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For US sanctions on Russia to work, it must be clear what they are meant to achieve
Sanctions have consequences – not just for the target, but for the country that imposes them as well.
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China backs Russia in calling for an end to Nato expansion
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping meet for talks and a display of solidarity in Beijing.
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Dispatch: Ordinary Russians don’t want war with Ukraine
Despite aggressive rhetoric the internationalist Soviet past — visible in statues and Metro stations — still holds clout.
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Serhii Plokhy: it’s impossible for states to be “both democratic and pro-Russian”
The Ukrainian historian on why his country doesn’t fit into Vladimir Putin’s rehashed spheres of influence theory.
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Putin and Xi “synchronise their watches” on Ukraine
The two leaders will discuss the crisis this week in talks ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
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Ukraine crisis forces Biden to rethink foreign policy goals
The president wanted to focus on China but is finding out that the world shapes his strategy, not the other…
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Don’t let hope vanish from Ukraine
Kyiv was a place of optimism and thrill during the Orange Revolution. So much has changed.
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Vladimir Putin may fashion his attack on Ukraine after that on Georgia in 2008
Ukrainians question the risk of a full-scale invasion but are under no illusions about Putin's belligerence.
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How Ukrainians turned against Russia
Favourability towards their neighbours has dropped from 84 per cent in 2011 to just 32 per cent.
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How to stop Putin’s war
Anti-imperialism is about defending the victims of oligarchic states, not apologising for their aggression.
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What’s in Vladimir Putin’s playbook?
The Kremlin’s demands of Ukraine are so ambitious that little short of full-scale war could satisfy them.
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Dispatch: Instead of panicking, Ukraine prepares for Putin
As Russian aggression increases, Kyiv readies itself for a possible full invasion. Yet the mood remains measured and calm
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As tensions with Russia build, Emmanuel Macron highlights splits within Nato
The French president’s call for direct dialogue with Russia has highlighted disagreements on how to engage Moscow.
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Why Germany finds it difficult to act as Russian tensions build
Germany’s new government is more critical of Russia than previous administrations, but history and trade weigh heavily in the balance.
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Dispatch: As Russia masses troops on the border, defiant Ukrainians join new home guard
A new militia could spell trouble for a Russian offensive.
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What would a Russian assault on Ukraine look like?
Vladimir Putin has likely invested too much to back down without getting something in return.
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