Nicholas Fenton
nicholasfenton.bsky.social
Nicholas Fenton
@nicholasfenton.bsky.social
Associate Director and Associate Fellow at the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Views my own. Follows and reposts do not equal endorsements.
Pinned
Check out the new report from me, @msnegovaya.bsky.social, Tina Dolbaia, and @maxbergmann.bsky.social on the Russian wartime economy, out now from @erep.csis.org at @csis.org. We do a deep dive on the Russian economy, and outline 3 scenarios for where it could be headed www.csis.org/analysis/rus...
The Russian Wartime Economy: From Sugar High to Hangover
Russia is muddling through the sanctions, with its economy impacted but not ruined and its defense industry able to maintain the current levels of attrition. Moscow hence sees no need to end the war, ...
www.csis.org
Check out the recent brief from me, @msnegovaya.bsky.social, and Tina Dolbaia on the differing patterns of economic engagement between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea as part of an ongoing effort to understand the "CRINK" states from @geopolitics.csis.org www.csis.org/analysis/cri...
CRINK Economic Ties: Uneven Patterns of Collaboration
This brief explores the post-2022 economic ties among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—the so-called CRINK states.
www.csis.org
September 9, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I had the chance to speak with @scrippsnews.bsky.social about how Russia's grinding progress on the battlefields of Ukraine is affecting Putin's calculus headed into today's summit in Alaska www.scrippsnews.com/politics/rus...
Trump and Putin tackle Ukraine conflict in Anchorage without Zelenskyy
Trump is set to meet Putin in Alaska to discuss the Ukraine conflict, but Zelenskyy is absent. Expectations for a peace deal are tempered amid high tensions.
www.scrippsnews.com
August 15, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Comments from me in @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social about the upcoming Trump-Putin summit, and what Putin might be thinking heading into the big meeting in Alaska thedispatch.com/newsletter/m...
A High-Stakes Meeting in Alaska
Russia and Ukraine both have a lot on the line in Friday’s Trump-Putin summit.
thedispatch.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:11 PM
New piece in @foreignpolicy.com from me and @msnegovaya.bsky.social outlining why sanctions on Russia matter and ways to tighten them. Russia's economic adaptation since 2022 has been impressive, but there are real issues that tougher sanctions could exploit foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/04/t...
What the Next Round of Sanctions Against Russia Should Look Like
Moscow has successfully restructured its economy on an impressive war footing, but there are weaknesses under the hood.
foreignpolicy.com
August 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
🚨 NEW: @nicholasfenton.bsky.social & @msnegovaya.bsky.social argue in @foreignpolicy.com that economic statecraft alone is not enough to slow Russia's war effort––weapons & intelligence support for Ukraine remains key to forcing Moscow to negotiate in good faith ⬇️
foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/04/t...
What the Next Round of Sanctions Against Russia Should Look Like
Moscow has successfully restructured its economy on an impressive war footing, but there are weaknesses under the hood.
foreignpolicy.com
August 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
✍️ Then and now, a containment strategy seeks to check Moscow’s power & avoid a direct conflict. Today, replicating Kennan’s approach in Europe is not enough—new times call for new thinking.

📌 @maxbergmann.bsky.social @msnegovaya.bsky.social @hannanotte.bsky.social Michael Kimmage + Jeffrey Mankoff
As the US shifts its focus away from threats of Russian aggression, the burden of deterrence falls on Europe. It’s time for a new containment strategy—clear-eyed, coordinated, and long-term.

Our experts lay out a path forward fit for a new purpose ⬇️
www.csis.org/analysis/lon...
A Long-Term Russia Strategy for Europe
No matter the outcome in Ukraine, Russia will remain a strategic threat to Europe and European interests. A European containment strategy reworked for the particularities of the present can help Europ...
www.csis.org
July 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
With Russia set to challenge the West for years to come, what’s the best long-term strategy? Our new @erep.csis.org report explores the need for a renewed approach—potentially a modern take on Cold War-era containment. Please read, comment and share!
🔗 www.csis.org/analysis/lon...
A Long-Term Russia Strategy for Europe
No matter the outcome in Ukraine, Russia will remain a strategic threat to Europe and European interests. A European containment strategy reworked for the particularities of the present can help Europ...
www.csis.org
July 31, 2025 at 9:19 PM
My thoughts in @newsweek.com about the potential risks/challenges from U.S. "secondary tariffs" on purchasers of Russian hydrocarbon exports. To increase pressure on Russia, policymakers should target the financial/shipment firms that enable Russian sales www.newsweek.com/us-sanctions...
How US sanctions on Russian oil could send prices soaring for Americans
Speaking to Newsweek, experts outlined the impact of potential sanctions on Russian oil.
www.newsweek.com
July 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Got the chance to talk about the Russian economy, banking system, and sanctions with @news.dw.com alongside my fantastic colleague, Tina Dolbaia www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qca...
Жесткие санкции и милитаризация: как экономика России справляется на третий год войны?
YouTube video by DW на русском
www.youtube.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Recently had the chance to speak with @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social about the current state of the Russian economy, the potential for new sanctions on Russia, and how Moscow looks at this current phase of the war in Ukraine thedispatch.com/newsletter/m...
July 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
NEWS | @erep.csis.org expert @maxbergmann.bsky.social joined Bloomberg to discuss President Trump's announcement of new secondary tariffs on Russian goods if Russia does not agree to a peace deal with Ukraine.

Watch the full interview: www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/...
Trump Threatens New Financial Penalties For Russia Amid Stalled Peace Talks
Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, reacts to President Trump's announcement of new secondary tariffs on Russian goo...
www.bloomberg.com
July 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
💰 Russia's Wartime Economy: @marie-doha.bsky.social broke down key findings from our comprehensive analysis on the economics of Russia's war machine.

✍️ Takeaways + more below:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
@msnegovaya.bsky.social @nicholasfenton.bsky.social @maxbergmann.bsky.social
July 14, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
In this week’s episode of Russian Roulette, @maxbergmann.bsky.social and I speak with the always insightful @hannanotte.bsky.social about how the recent war between Iran and Israel, along with U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, are shaping Russia’s strategy in the Middle East. Tune in today!
Hanna Notte on What the Israel-Iran War Means for Russia | Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts
Hanna Notte returns to the show for a conversation with Max and Maria about what the most recent round of hostilities between Israel and Iran, plus the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, mean...
www.csis.org
June 27, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I recently spoke with Lily Mae Lazarus at @fortune.com about Russian fears of an economic recession, and the role the country's chronic labor shortage plays in constraining growth fortune.com/2025/06/22/r...
Russia’s economy boomed after the invasion of Ukraine—it’s now running out of steam
Record-low unemployment and ultra-hot inflation have put Russia “on the brink” of a recession, its economy minister said.
fortune.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Our team has been thrilled with the reception of our recent report, "The Russian Wartime Economy: From Sugar High to Hangover." Check out a discussion on our work w/ @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @msnegovaya.bsky.social, @eribakova.bsky.social, and Vladislav Inozemtsev www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk_7...
The Russian Wartime Economy
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
www.youtube.com
June 26, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
HAPPENING NOW: CSIS experts @maxbergmann.bsky.social and @msnegovaya.bsky.social with Elina Ribakova and Vladislav Inozemtsev discuss The Russian Wartime Economy: From Sugar High to Hangover.

Tune in here🔽:

www.csis.org/events/russi...
The Russian Wartime Economy | CSIS Events
Join the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program for a panel discussion on the current state of the Russian wartime economy.
www.csis.org
June 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
LIVE NOW: @erep.csis.org unpacks their latest report on Russia's wartime economy, covering structural changes to the economy since 2022, chokepoints threatening its sustainability, and possible scenarios for the Western sanctions regime.

Watch here: www.csis.org/events/russi...
The Russian Wartime Economy | CSIS Events
Join the CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program for a panel discussion on the current state of the Russian wartime economy.
www.csis.org
June 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Check out the new report from me, @msnegovaya.bsky.social, Tina Dolbaia, and @maxbergmann.bsky.social on the Russian wartime economy, out now from @erep.csis.org at @csis.org. We do a deep dive on the Russian economy, and outline 3 scenarios for where it could be headed www.csis.org/analysis/rus...
The Russian Wartime Economy: From Sugar High to Hangover
Russia is muddling through the sanctions, with its economy impacted but not ruined and its defense industry able to maintain the current levels of attrition. Moscow hence sees no need to end the war, ...
www.csis.org
June 13, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
NEW: @edwardfishman.bsky.social joined this week's episode of Russian Roulette to discuss his new bestseller ––Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare

🎙️ @maxbergmann.bsky.social & @msnegovaya.bsky.social

Tune in here:
www.csis.org/podcasts/rus...
Chokepoints and Economic Warfare with Edward Fishman | Russian Roulette | CSIS Podcasts
Max and Maria spoke with Edward Fishman about his bestselling book, Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare.
www.csis.org
May 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Reposted by Nicholas Fenton
The main drawback of Western sanctions against Russia has been their "boil the frog" approach, according to @nicholasfenton.bsky.social

✍️ @ccaryl.bsky.social highlights how acute pressure over a shorter period may yield stronger results in @foreignpolicy.com ⬇️
foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/13/t...
Why This Is the Best Time to Sanction Russia
If Trump were interested in ending the war, he would pressure Putin now.
foreignpolicy.com
May 14, 2025 at 11:25 AM