Section: Atlantic Council (USA)
Tillerson Provides a Glimmer of Hope for Ukraine
At his confirmation hearing on January 11, Rex Tillerson went a long way toward assuaging skeptics who feared that his past relationships with Russian leaders might translate into a naïve and weak approach toward the Kremlin. This was apparent from the start with his confirmation statement that was released the evening before his testimony. He...
Tillerson’s Views on Russia Remain Murky
Russia dominated the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s grilling of Rex Tillerson, whose views on the country have been the subject of much speculation. As chairman and chief executive officer of ExxonMobil, Tillerson had extensive business dealings with Russia. The senators used that experience at Tillerson’s confirmation hearing...
Trump Must Stand Up to Russian Cyberattacks
In light of the intelligence report unequivocally attributing cyberattacks during the US presidential election to Russia, US President-elect Donald Trump must take stock of the magnitude and implications of the Kremlin’s actions, and react appropriately, according to John E. Herbst, director of the Atlantic Council’s Dinu Patriciu...
US-Romania Ties in Need of an Upgrade
There are several reasons why Donald Trump’s administration must upgrade the relationship with Romania—an important US partner in Eastern Europe. Romania is an enduring friend and ally—from a cultural, security, and military standpoint—and offers a wealth of economic opportunities. It aspires to be more present on Washington’s...
Q&A: What Does a Friend of Putin at Foggy Bottom Mean for Ukraine?
President-elect Donald Trump has picked ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his secretary of state. In 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally bestowed Russia’s Order of Friendship on Tillerson. As CEO of ExxonMobil, he’s argued for sanctions relief on Russia. By October 2016, some reports estimate that Exxon has lost $1 billion...
Swedish Tech Entrepreneurs Find Top Talent and Warm Welcome in Ukraine
Gustav Henman describes his time at Moscow State University as a “Russian cold shower.” But he was no stranger to cold weather as a Swede, and has ended up in Ukraine, where the weather is slightly more moderate and the engineering talent plentiful.He and his business partner, Andreas Flodström, went to Ukraine in 2012 and now own an IT...
‘Channeling Brussels’ with Sandy Vershbow
Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander “Sandy” Vershbow on the challenge posed by Russia When someone with the long-range perspective of Sandy Vershbow says relations with Russia are the worst he’s seen in his entire career, everyone should take notice. In this week’s “Channeling Brussels,” Vershbow...
‘Channeling Brussels,’ episode 2
Fmr NATO Deputy Secretary General, U.S. Amb. Alexander “Sandy” Vershbow When someone with the long-range perspective of Sandy Vershbow says relations with Russia are the worst he’s seen in his entire career, everyone should take notice. In this week’s “Channeling Brussels”, Vershbow calls 2014, with...
Beware of the Russian Bear in the Balkans
On October 16, just hours before Montenegrins were due to head to the polls, the government made an alarming announcement. It claimed security services had foiled a Russian nationalist attempt to seize control of the parliament and assassinate Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic (who has since resigned).The Kremlin undoubtedly has an axe to grind with...
Sanctions on Russia Need More Teeth
It has been more than two years since the European Union and the United States imposed economic sanctions on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. How effective have the sanctions been?According to US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in 2016, sanctions were meant to “press Moscow to bring an end to the violence in Ukraine and fully...
