The Return of Russia: From Yeltsin to Putin, the Story of a Vengeful Kremlin

An incisive and engaging account of post-Soviet Russia--showing how and why the country has come into confrontation with the West

The escalation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered the most violent conflict seen on European soil for decades. Millions of people have been displaced, and thousands killed. As the conflict continues, many in the West are seeking to understand why Putin has followed his ambitions to such extreme ends.

James Rodgers examines the development of Russia’s relationship with the West from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to the present day. Rodgers argues that, while Putin has long distrusted the West, Western policies have made the situation much worse. He shows that Putin’s political career, with its transformations from supportive ally to implacable critic of the West, has been the defining influence on Russia’s place in the contemporary world.

Following the invasion of Ukraine, the West needs to develop a new understanding of Russia’s views and possible actions--rather than simply ignoring them, as has been the case since the end of the Cold War.

James Rodgers has reported on Russia since the end of the Soviet period, completing three postings in Moscow for Reuters and the BBC. He is the author of four books on international affairs, the most recent being Assignment Moscow: Reporting on Russia from Lenin to Putin. He is reader in international journalism at City University of London.