Global Scans · Russia · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Russia is becoming an independent geopolitical actor. Russia will seek to maintain the world's strategic balance of power. A resurgent Russia is likely to continue to stir up trouble across much of Central and East Europe and the Middle East. It remains to be seen whether a rapprochement is possible with the U.S. And, Russia's economy is expected to return to modest growth in late 2016 and 2017, further strengthening its hand.

• [New] Russia is defined as a persistent yet manageable threat to NATO member states on the eastern flank. OSW Centre for Eastern Studies
• [New] Russian forces will be able to amass drone and missile stockpiles that it can use to launch large, combined strikes in the future, while Ukraine ceases its strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. Critical Threats
• [New] Russia will not be satisfied with a peace settlement that does not meet all of its demands and is instead using informational tools to push for Ukraine's pre-emptive capitulation. Critical Threats

Last updated: 07 February 2026