November 10, 2016

A new direction for US-Russia relations?


A new direction for US-Russia relations?

What the U.S. election means for Russia

It’s not just America-centrism: Russia’s abuzz with the question of what a Trump presidency will mean for Russia. Here’s a sampling.

  • Russia has been bordering on pariah territory with the rest of the Western world. Some think a president who’s fond of Putin may improve U.S.-Russia relations – though that bond might also fuel some of Russia’s more authoritarian tendencies.
  • On the other hand, Russia – and foreign policy in general – aren’t exactly Trump’s top priority. He may look more like the kind of candidate most Russians could get behind, but the main thing many political scientists are predicting is a lot of unpredictability.
  • Poli sci aside, some Russian Trump fans threw celebratory parties that might look pretty familiar to red states in the U.S. These Russians see the billionaire-turned-politician as being on the front line in “the struggle between the global elite and ordinary folks.”
  • Still, some say that those at the top of Russian government aren’t as thrilled as you might expect: a messy election may bolster feelings of anti-Americanism, but adapting to a Trump presidency could be more complicated for Putin’s Russia than anticipated.

In Odder News

rbth.com
  • A Russian Trump can also be a winner: a cat named Trump, formerly “employed” catching rats in St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, was showered with treats in honor of the feline’s namesake’s victory.
  • It doesn’t stop at cats: Burger King in Russia is all set to preview the “Trump burger.”
  • One way to cut spending: reduce water temperature by 10 degrees in Russian homes. That’ll help jolt people awake in the morning.

 Quote of the Week

“We know that this will not be easy, but are ready to take this road.”
—President Vladimir Putin, in his statement congratulating president-elect Trump, on the difficult task of mending U.S.-Russia relations.

Want more where this comes from? Give your inbox the gift of TWERF, our Thursday newsletter on the quirkiest, obscurest, and Russianest of Russian happenings of the week.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Moscow and Muscovites
November 26, 2013

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955