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Eileen Boyle

Mr. O’Grady

Contemporary World Issues

10 May 2019

International Relations: Russian Bureau Report

This report details current American relations with Russia based on research from

multiple news sources and independent websites. Following the analysis of this research is a list

of recommendations for the sitting President of the United States. This report is to be under the

status of Classified, as some material is only for those with a middle-ranged security clearance.

The following intelligence should be taken into consideration before the President makes any

executive action involving Russia or its allies.

Russia’s Current State

Russia is currently under the control of President Vladimir Putin, who has held multiple

positions of power in Russia’s government for a number of years. Mr. Putin has an association

with President Donald Trump that some media sources have described humorously as a

“bromance.” However, the relationship between the United States of America and Russia

remains strained to some degree. The current clash over Venezuela is the cause of some of this

tension, as the United States and Russia back opposing political parties and leaders. Russia has

shown subtle support for Venezuela’s sitting president, Nicolás Maduro, and there are reports of

them encouraging him to stay in his position against threats of a coup staged by his opposition,

Juan Guaidó. The United States’ support of Guaidó has caused Russia to react with some
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hostility. The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have

discussed the matter over a phone call, on which the United States Foreign Ministry commented

that “It was indicated that continuing these aggressive steps would be fraught with the most

serious consequences.” Russia is concerned with the Venezuelan matter partly due to its

investments in the country. A significant amount of Venezuelan oil fields are owned by Russia,

and Venezuela has purchased weaponry from Russia. Their largest concern is continuing their

presence in Venezuela in order to ensure protection of their investments.

Some of Russia’s fears of control – or lack thereof – of Venezuela stem from the 2011

regime change from a Russian-allied government in Libya. An expansion of this is included

under Russia Relations with NATO.

Russia Relations with NATO

Russia shares a 120-mile long bored with Norway, a country that is among the United

States’ close allies and that is an accepted part of NATO. A recent report claimed that a

Norwegian fishing boat had been harassed by a beluga whale that, when pulled out of the water

by the fishermen, was wearing a harness that bore the name of the city St. Petersburg. The

consideration of animals as a tool in warfare is not a new concept, but it is one that Russia has

seemed to take interest in. A few years ago, five bottlenose dolphins were purchased by the

Russian government from one of their own aquariums. These animals have proven to be

trainable and could be used for espionage or active warfare.

The Baltics won their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and eventually

became allies with NATO. Today, Russia is continually increasing pressure on the Baltics, and

although a Russian invasion of these countries is generally unlikely, it could still happen. NATO
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already has ways to prevent a full-fledged invasion. By using resources from countries under

NATO, such as Germany, Norway, the United States, and Canada, NATO has been able to set up

several layers of defenses to protect the otherwise weak Baltic States. If Russia were to invade,

they would be forced to attack the troops of other NATO countries, which would help engage the

NATO reinforcement faster. However, even what is currently set up would not sufficiently

protect the Baltics, so allies would have to act quickly to otherwise ensure that the Baltics are not

taken over by Russia.

[Expanded from the passage under Russia’s Current State] In 2011, a North Atlantic

Treaty Organization-led group aided in the deposition of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, who

had made the Libyan government an ally of Russia. This act, as the United States was a part of

the NATO coalition which performed it, showed that the United States was willing to cause

favorable regime changes where it saw fit. Russia now fears that it soon, if not already, is a part

of the list of targets for these coups.

Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union

Mr. Putin has claimed interest in furthering associations in the Eurasian Economic Union

with all Eurasian countries, saying that he and other partners involved would like to build the

EAEU on “the basis of principles of respect for sovereignty, rights and legitimate interests of

each state.” In a speech given at the One Belt One Road forum in Beijing, he continued to state

the steps they have taken so far to reach their goal, listing “free trade agreements with Vietnam, a

temporary agreement leading to establishing a free trade zone with Iran,” “similar documents

with Singapore and Serbia,” and that they are “in talks with Israel, Egypt, and India.” As some of

these countries have economic ties to the European Union, Mr. Putin reassured that the future of
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the EU and Eurasia are a responsibility that would not be altered, as its goal is to develop

foundational business ties with countries involved with or a part of the European Union.

Research has shown that if tensions were to decrease between the United States and

Russia and each country were able to work out their own respective strategic issues, the value of

“trade transactions could rapidly double, or triple.” An economic boost such as this is one that

the globe could find extremely useful and should be taken into consideration.

Recommendations to the President

On Venezuela:

 The United States should continue support of Guaidó and attempt to make

deals with Russia that will prove that a change in power will not alter their

investments.

 The United States should form a deal with Russia that we will not attempt

to alter their government.

On the use of Marine Animals in Warfare:

 The United States should consider tasking a small team under the name of

the Navy to research the capabilities of the use of marine animals.

On Tension and Trade:

 A new deal must be made in order to create security and trust. New arms

agreements would ease some tension, and with this tension gone,

American businesses would have more room to expand and create

economic growth.
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 A favorable option for a new arms deal would be the inclusion of China. A

three-way deal would aid balances between countries.