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opinion Damelya Aitkhozina

New ‘Undesirables’ Law Expands Activists’ Danger Zone

While most eyes were on Geneva, the Duma intensified its crackdown on dissent.

What Is Putin’s Mindset Ahead of His Meeting With Biden?

There are no illusions in Moscow: adversarial relations with Washington are here to stay.

Sergey Radchenko

History Shows Summit Will Embolden Putin

A high-profile meeting with Joe Biden will not constrain the Russian President, and risks legitimizing his ongoing domestic crackdown.

Emotions Central to the Putin-Biden Summit

It is not that American policy should be subordinated to Putin’s emotional neuralgias, but Biden should at least know what he is dealing with.

Michele A. Berdy

The Many Faces of Живопырка

A magical word that seems to acquire new meanings wherever it goes.

William Courtney

Depoliticizing Russian Gas in Europe

Europe has enough leverage to insist that some gas flows through Ukraine. Russia has an interest in keeping this option open, as well.

Anton Shekhovtsov

The Self-Unfulfilling Prophecy of a 'Dialogue with Russia'

The Kremlin believes that the EU does not deserve dialogue with Russia.

Tatyana Stanovaya

Purges and Professionals: the Transformed Russian Regime

The changes over the last year have proven so sweeping and profound that the Russian regime is undergoing a renaissance. You are now either pro-regime...

Geneva Meeting: A World in Waiting

It is unlikely that we will see any breakthroughs at the upcoming Putin-Biden summit — but despite all the difficulties, there are still signs for optimism...

Vladimir Slivyak

Why Russia Was Not Ready for VTimes

The example of VTimes confirms what we have known for a long time already: There is no place for independent media in Russia.

Is There a Place for a U.S. Military Base in Central Asia?

Even if a U.S. military base does eventually open in Central Asia, it won’t change the balance of power on the ground.

The Dilemma of the Great Terror: How to Report Roman Protasevich’s 'Confession'?

Roman Protasevich's "interview" — which bears resemblance to Stalin's infamous show trials — presents a challenge for journalists covering it.

Michele A. Berdy

On, Near, About and Round About in Russian

Another in my series of Mastering Russian Prepositions, this one is all about being near.

How Lukashenko Became a Bone in Putin’s Throat

Belarus’s deepening political isolation makes it easier but also more expensive for Moscow to control Lukashenko.

Why We're Closing VTimes, One of Russia's Last Independent News Outlets

The "foreign agent” label assigned to the website administrator of vtimes.io has destroyed our business model and we see no viable way to continue.

Are the Minsk II Peace Accords Worth Preserving?

It is time to recognize that the Minsk process has run its course — and may if anything be blocking any more meaningful dialogue.

Michele A. Berdy

Maybe I May Be But Probably I'm Not

Maybe seems like such an easy concept. Может быть I'm wrong? Or is that быть может?

No Easy Answer on Belarus Sanctions

Autocrats around the world are watching the EU. Tough sanctions against Belarus would send a strong signal about Brussels’ resolve.

Artyom Shraibman

Forced Landing Makes Lukashenko an International Problem

The more toxic Lukashenko becomes globally, the more important it is for the West to show that its pressure on the regime has consequences.

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