Russia: the diplomatic standoff

Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, continues to adopt a defiant stance on the world stage – prompting concerns of a new Cold War.

Relations with the West have declined rapidly following Russia’s involvement in the Syrian conflict, the Ukraine crisis and, most recently, Russian interference in the US presidential election.

This podcast considers the West's response.

• Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO from 2009 to 2014, assesses attempts to reach out to Russia and the strategy of Western powers;
• Robert Gates, former US Secretary of Defense, considers Russian interventionism and the sanctions imposed by Washington; and
• Jack Straw, UK Foreign Secretary between 2001 and 2006, discusses how Brexit increases Russia’s influence in Europe.