Understanding Russia's Perception of U.S. Foreign Policy

Russia feels betrayed by the United States due to the lack of a mutually acceptable post-Cold War settlement. Prominent American leaders from the 1990s recognized this failure, leading to ongoing conflicts stemming from these unresolved issues. The Kremlin interprets many symptoms of this discontent, such as territorial disputes and tensions in neighboring regions, as direct consequences of U.S. actions, particularly the expansion of NATO. This misinterpretation often exacerbates conflicts, especially as high-level communication between U.S. and Russian leaders has notably declined in recent administrations.