On 26 April 2022, the UN All-Party Parliamentary Group hosted an in-person briefing by Fiona Hill, former Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States and Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs on the U.S. National Security Council.
The briefing was an opportunity for members of the UN APPG to hear expert insight into President Putin’s worldview and the lessons we can learn about relationships with Russia and the response to the invasion of Ukraine.
In her remarks, Hill outlined the historical developments that have solidified President Putin’s power in Russia, making note of the vertical power structures he has established that offer little opportunity to leverage accountability and limit authority. In contrast, western states’ governance structures generally have cycles of changing governments and leaders. In Hill’s view, this distinct difference emphasises the need for a more consistent and strategic approach from countries when engaging with Russia.
Hill went on to explain to members how Finland has recognised the long-term threat Russia poses, and in so doing has been able to successfully limit their reliance on Russian energy and shielded themselves from penetration of their financial and political systems. A reliance and infiltration which countries like the UK and EU states, are having to address now as part of their response to the invasion of Ukraine.
According to Hill this dependency undoubtedly impacted states’ ability to respond swiftly and proportionally to Russia’s illegal invasion without incurring significant difficulty domestically. And whilst, in Hill’s assessment, President Putin may have been surprised by the economic and diplomatic pressure exerted by the international community in the short-term, he may feel Russia is more capable than western countries to weather these pressures politically over the long-term.
The briefing was concluded with a Q+A with those in attendance both in-person and online.
