Global Scans · Russia · Weekly Summary

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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] Combined fleet of at least 13 warships, bolstered by autonomous systems, will hunt Russian submarines and protect critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic as part of new agreement. GOV.UK
• [New] Russia and India, long-time strategic partners, could work together to stabilise the whole world as global power diffuses. https://www.uniindia.com/~/russia-sees-world-turning-mu
• [New] US-Russian talks failed to reach a breakthrough in ending the war in Ukraine, meaning restrictions will stay in place on Russian energy exports. Barchart.com
• [New] Long-term pipeline gas flows must halt by late 2027. / Russia Marcellus Drilling News
• [New] EU seals deal to phase out Russian gas by 2027 Bloomberg The European Union has secured a deal to accelerate the phaseout of Russian energy, agreeing to ban Russian liquefied natural gas imports by the end of 2026, a year ahead of schedule. Marcellus Drilling News
• [New] The European Union has agreed to ban natural gas from Russia by late 2027. Havana Times
• [New] Recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy facilities and escalating friction between the United States and Venezuela have introduced elements of supply risk, providing intermittent support to oil prices. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Global tensions, including Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure and U.S.-Venezuela strains, have injected some geopolitical risk into markets, but not enough to offset structural oversupply. Mansfield Energy
• [New] China's deepening economic relationship with Russia contributed to concerns among some investors, who feared exposure to current and potential sanctions risk. United States Department of State
• [New] The military threat underpinning Russia's relationship with China has been fortified with China's steady shipments of military components destined for Russia's arsenal. Affinity Federal Credit Union
• [New] Preemptive strikes risk escalating conflicts, provoking retaliation (including from Russia, which has threatened to respond to attacks on its territory), and complicating diplomatic efforts toward peace. Economic Times
• [New] NATO may undertake preventive actions not only against Russia but against any entity threatening alliance security. Economic Times
• [New] Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, NATO's second-highest military official and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, fears Russia's growing arsenal of armed drones pose a massive threat to European countries and they need to work on a defensive strategy to counter it. Economic Times
• [New] NATO's top military official warns of a massive threat from Russia's armed drones and hybrid warfare tactics. Economic Times
• [New] In a worst-case scenario, pre-emptive strikes could provoke a full-scale Russian retaliatory response - possibly including use of nuclear or near-nuclear weapons. The DEFCON Warning System Shop
• [New] Nuclear-stability risk: A pre-emptive doctrine raises the possibility of rapid escalation if a perceived Russian provocation is declared. The DEFCON Warning System Shop
• [New] NATO is contemplating a more pre-emptive policy toward Russia, potentially including pre-emptive strikes in response to hybrid threats. The DEFCON Warning System Shop
• [New] Russia's System for Transfer of Financial Messages, China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System, India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and Brazil's Pix will be linked for instant, secure, low-cost cross-border transfers. Drishti IAS
• [New] Geopolitical Motivations and Diversification: Rising geopolitical tensions with the West, especially involving Russia and China, have pushed BRICS to reduce vulnerability to Western financial pressure. Drishti IAS
• [New] Interoperability: BRICS Pay envisions interoperability between national payment platforms, including: Russia's System for Transfer of Financial Messages alternative to SWIFT. Drishti IAS
• [New] As China, the U.S., and Russia increasingly push the boundaries of their space capabilities, the presence of military satellites capable of refueling and repositioning could lead to more frequent interactions in orbit, potentially escalating tensions between space-faring nations. The Daily Galaxy - Great Discoveries Channel
• [New] Russia is planning for the post-Ukraine conflict period through exerting more geopolitical, security, cultural, etc. superiority, but it will be hard to reverse the trend of declining strategic leadership. The Asan Forum
• [New] An overt campaign of nuclear threats is expected, promoting the idea of Russia's alleged unprecedented military advantage, particularly through its nuclear triad. RBC-Ukraine

Last updated: 06 December 2025