Russia’s Historical Influence
This event in 1917 led to the establishment of the first communist state, laying the groundwork for modern Russian politics.
What is the Russian Revolution?
Before becoming President, Putin held this position, where he built his reputation as a strong leader of the Russian Federation.
What is Prime Minister of Russia?
This military alliance, formed in 1992 by Russia and several post-Soviet states, serves as a counterbalance to NATO.
What is the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)?
This 2008 military intervention by Russia took place in response to a conflict with Georgia, marking a new phase in Russian military assertiveness.
What is the Russo-Georgian War?
This event in 2014 led to the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president and set the stage for Russia's annexation of Crimea.
What is the Euromaidan (or the Ukrainian revolution)?
This political and economic reform program, initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, aimed to open up and restructure the Soviet Union but contributed to its collapse.
What is perestroika and glasnost?
This concept, central to Putin’s governance, combines centralized political power, nationalism, and economic control by the state.
What is managed democracy (or sovereign democracy)?
This former Soviet state has been a critical focus of Russia’s foreign policy, with ongoing conflicts since its 2014 revolution.
What is Ukraine?
Russia’s military involvement in this country since 2015 has significantly shifted the balance of power in the Middle East and bolstered Putin’s influence.
What is Syria?
This agreement, signed in 1994, guaranteed Ukraine’s territorial integrity in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons, but was violated by Russia in 2014.
What is the Budapest Memorandum?
This 19th-century concept describes Russia’s desire to protect and lead Slavic peoples in Eastern Europe, influencing its foreign policy.
What is Pan-Slavism?
In 1999, Putin gained widespread popularity for his role in leading this conflict, seen as restoring order after a period of instability.
What is the Second Chechen War?
This region, internationally recognized as part of Georgia, has been a source of conflict between Russia and Georgia since Russia recognized its independence in 2008.
What is South Ossetia (or Abkhazia)?
This term describes Russia’s strategy of using disinformation, political subversion, and cyber attacks as part of its military operations.
What is hybrid warfare?
This region in Eastern Ukraine has been a focal point of fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists since 2014.
What is the Donbas (or Donetsk and Luhansk)?
This era in the late 1990s, marked by political instability, economic hardship, and corruption, was a critical period preceding Putin's rise to power.
What is the Yeltsin Era?
In 2008, Putin temporarily stepped down from the presidency, taking on this role, while still maintaining significant power.
What is Prime Minister of Russia?
This economic and political union, spearheaded by Putin, seeks to integrate Russia with former Soviet republics, strengthening regional ties.
What is the Eurasian Economic Union?
This elite branch of the Russian military is known for its special operations capabilities and has been involved in covert operations abroad.
What is the Spetsnaz?
This Russian paramilitary group has been accused of supporting separatists in Eastern Ukraine and carrying out covert operations on behalf of Moscow.
What is the Wagner Group?
This treaty, signed in 1991, officially dissolved the Soviet Union, leading to the independence of former Soviet republics.
What is the Belavezha Accords?
This political move in 2020 allowed Putin to remain in power potentially until 2036 by resetting his presidential terms.
What is the constitutional amendment on presidential term limits?
In 2014, Russia annexed this region, leading to international condemnation and sanctions from Western countries.
What is Crimea?
This recent military doctrine outlines Russia’s approach to modern warfare, combining conventional and non-conventional tactics, including cyber warfare.
What is the Gerasimov Doctrine?
This set of agreements, intended to halt fighting in Eastern Ukraine, has been largely ineffective due to ongoing clashes and violations.
What is the Minsk Agreement (or Minsk I and II)?