Russia – dark clouds are gathering Cover Image

Rosja: zbierają się ciemne chmury
Russia – dark clouds are gathering

Author(s): Marek Menkiszak
Subject(s): Politics, Social Sciences, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Geography, Regional studies, Geopolitics
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar Sp. z o.o.
Keywords: Arctic LNG 2 project; State Duma; Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB); National Wealth Fund; Gazprom; Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the RF

Summary/Abstract: In 2018, even though Vladimir Putin’s mandate was formally confirmed ina presidential election, his approval ratings fell significantly, particularly becauseof his highly unpopular decision to raise the retirement age substantially. Thedecision was one of the ways of seeking savings and building reserves in case theeconomic situation became worse as a result of multiplying American sanctionsand changes in the energy resources market. It was a challenge for the Kremlin, andthe Russian government looked for a way to strengthen the political legitimacy ofPutin’s rule while trying to keep their foreign policy directions unchanged withoutunduly escalating the conflict with the US. Russia attempted to make use of growingtransatlantic tensions while looking to normalize its relations with the main WesternEuropean countries and tightening its unequal anti-American quasi-alliance withChina.

  • Issue Year: 2019
  • Issue No: 24
  • Page Range: 231-251
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish