{ "id": "R44775", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "R44775", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 463499, "date": "2017-08-21", "retrieved": "2017-08-24T18:44:37.530487", "title": "Russia: Background and U.S. Policy", "summary": "Over the last five years, Congress and the executive branch have closely monitored and responded to new developments in Russian policy. These developments include the following: \nincreasingly authoritarian governance since Vladimir Putin\u2019s return to the presidential post in 2012;\nRussia\u2019s 2014 annexation of Ukraine\u2019s Crimea region and support of separatists in eastern Ukraine;\nviolations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty;\nMoscow\u2019s intervention in Syria in support of Bashar al Asad\u2019s government;\nincreased military activity in Europe; and\ncyber-related influence operations that, according to the U.S. intelligence community, have targeted the 2016 U.S. presidential election and countries in Europe.\nIn response, the United States has imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions related to Russia\u2019s actions in Ukraine and Syria, malicious cyber activity, and human rights violations. The United States also has led NATO in developing a new military posture in Central and Eastern Europe designed to reassure allies and deter aggression. \nU.S. policymakers over the years have identified areas in which U.S. and Russian interests are or could be compatible. The United States and Russia have cooperated successfully on issues such as nuclear arms control and nonproliferation, support for military operations in Afghanistan, the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs, the International Space Station, and the removal of chemical weapons from Syria. In addition, the United States and Russia have identified other areas of cooperation, such as countering terrorism, illicit narcotics, and piracy. \nLike previous U.S. Administrations, President Donald J. Trump has sought to improve U.S.-Russian relations at the start of his tenure. In its first six months, the Trump Administration expressed an intention to pursue cooperation or dialogue with Russia on a range of pursuits (e.g., Syria, North Korea, cybersecurity). At initial meetings with President Putin in April and July 2017, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and President Trump said they agreed to find ways to improve channels of communication and begin addressing issues dividing the two countries. \nAt the same time, the Administration has indicated that it intends to adhere to core international commitments and principles, as well as to retain sanctions on Russia. Secretary Tillerson has stated that Ukraine-related sanctions will remain in place \u201cuntil Moscow reverses the actions that triggered\u201d them. Secretary Tillerson and other officials also have noted the severity of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the need for an appropriate response. \nSince the start of the 115th Congress, many Members of Congress have actively engaged with the Administration on questions concerning U.S.-Russian relations. As of August 2017, Congress has held more than 20 hearings on matters directly relating to Russia, codified and strengthened sanctions through the Countering Russian Influence in Europe and Eurasia Act of 2017 (P.L. 115-44, Title II), and considered other measures to assess and respond to Russian interference in the 2016 elections, influence operations in Europe, INF Treaty violations, and illicit financial activities abroad.\nThis report provides background information on Russian politics, economics, and military issues. It discusses a number of key issues for Congress concerning Russia\u2019s foreign relations and the U.S.-Russian relationship.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44775", "sha1": "4f4c1672a7e68f5787a86e2a0ecec7fe3726bab6", "filename": "files/20170821_R44775_4f4c1672a7e68f5787a86e2a0ecec7fe3726bab6.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44775_files&id=/1.png": "files/20170821_R44775_images_002e4f6d0265414224a4ff03a9a161c61c1f0be8.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44775_files&id=/3.png": "files/20170821_R44775_images_a1b533e98633eeed22f4f7f4dfe1ffd756d21259.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44775_files&id=/2.png": "files/20170821_R44775_images_43cf35c215354bdee5f0d6ee87b4cbd09d68407f.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R44775_files&id=/0.png": "files/20170821_R44775_images_c93c1ea28e7bafed210628c2f1453df5abd7e21b.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44775", "sha1": "0adad68c3cb2361878ca5a15bdd6fb2101ae37b1", "filename": "files/20170821_R44775_0adad68c3cb2361878ca5a15bdd6fb2101ae37b1.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 460722, "date": "2017-03-01", "retrieved": "2017-05-09T15:06:47.501706", "title": "Russia: Background and U.S. Interests", "summary": "Since 1991, Congress has played a key role in the development of U.S. policy toward the Russian Federation (Russia), the principal successor to the United States\u2019 former superpower rival, the Soviet Union. In that time, U.S.-Russian relations have gone through positive and negative periods. Each new U.S. Administration has sought to improve U.S.-Russian relations at the start of its tenure, and the Donald J. Trump Administration has expressed similar intentions to rebuild constructive relations with Moscow. In doing so, however, the Administration has indicated it intends to adhere to core international commitments and principles, including retention of sanctions against Russia. Moving forward, the 115th Congress is expected to actively engage with the Administration on questions concerning U.S.-Russian relations. \nOver the last five years, Congress has monitored and, together with the executive branch, taken steps to respond to significant concerns about Russian domestic and foreign policy developments. These developments include a trend toward increasingly authoritarian governance since Vladimir Putin\u2019s return to the presidential post in 2012; Russia\u2019s 2014 annexation of Ukraine\u2019s Crimea region and sponsorship and support of separatists in eastern Ukraine; violations of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty; Moscow\u2019s ongoing intervention in Syria in support of Bashar al Asad\u2019s government; increased military activity oriented toward Europe; and, according to the U.S. intelligence community, cyber-related influence operations that have extended to the 2016 U.S. presidential election. \nU.S. responses to these developments have included the imposition of sanctions related to human rights violations, Russia\u2019s actions in Ukraine, and malicious cyber activity. The United States has also led NATO in developing a new military posture in Eastern Europe designed to reassure allies and deter further aggression. The Barack Obama Administration, together with Congress, condemned Russia\u2019s military support to Asad\u2019s government, especially its air strikes on Aleppo. \nMembers of the 115th Congress have proposed to make permanent, until the crisis in Ukraine is resolved, existing Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia (H.R. 830, H.R. 1059, S. 94, S. 341), as well as to expand sanctions related to Russia\u2019s actions in Ukraine (H.R. 830, S. 94), intervention in Syria (S. 138), and cyberattacks against U.S. democratic institutions (S. 94). Members also have proposed to provide congressional oversight over any potential sanctions relief (H.R. 1059, S. 341). \nIn addition, Congress has begun to investigate Russian interference in U.S. elections. In January 2017, the House and Senate Select Committees on Intelligence announced inquiries into Russian cyber activities and \u201cactive measures\u201d surrounding the U.S. election and more broadly. The Senate Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Judiciary Committees launched or announced related investigations. Members also have proposed a variety of other independent or joint commissions, committees, or investigations (H.R. 356, H.Con.Res. 15, H.Con.Res. 24, S. 27). \nAt the same time, U.S. policymakers over the years have identified multiple areas in which U.S. and Russian interests are or could be compatible. The United States and Russia have successfully cooperated on key issues, including nuclear arms control and nonproliferation, support for military operations in Afghanistan, the Iranian nuclear program, the International Space Station, and the removal of chemical weapons from Syria. The United States and Russia also have identified other areas of cooperation, such as counterterrorism, counternarcotics, counterpiracy, and global health. Although U.S.-Russian trade and investment were relatively low before sanctions were imposed, economic ties at the firm and sector levels have in some cases been substantial. In 2012, Congress authorized permanent normal trade relations for Russia. In the same year, the U.S. government supported Russia\u2019s entry into the World Trade Organization.\nThis report provides background information on Russian politics, economics, and military issues. It also discusses a number of key issues for Congress concerning Russia\u2019s foreign relations and the U.S.-Russian relationship.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R44775", "sha1": "fad3c524e82cefbbf860abf15498c2da61dd01e7", "filename": "files/20170301_R44775_fad3c524e82cefbbf860abf15498c2da61dd01e7.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R44775", "sha1": "46fdd2cbafce668b10584a2f55ae66fe6e6a95b1", "filename": "files/20170301_R44775_46fdd2cbafce668b10584a2f55ae66fe6e6a95b1.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4786, "name": "Europe, Russia, & Eurasia" } ] } ], "topics": [ "Economic Policy", "Energy Policy", "European Affairs", "Foreign Affairs", "Industry and Trade", "Intelligence and National Security", "Middle Eastern Affairs", "National Defense" ] }