|
New report:
Confronting Russian corruption in Europe
Read the report
Russian soldiers on top of an armored vehicle enter the Republic of Georgia.
(AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)
This International Anti-Corruption Day, the George W. Bush Institute and Center for the Study of Democracy released the first two papers in a three-part series that detail Russia’s strategic corruption in Europe and provide recommendations for European policymakers to stop Moscow’s harmful practices that seek to destabilize the West.
The first paper explores the three main pillars of Russia's corruption, including:
-
Control of key industries like energy and metallurgy;
-
Reliance on bribery, patronage, and kickbacks for key figures and political parties to build support for Moscow and build anti-Western sentiment; and
-
Mobilization of dirty money tied to Russian-linked businesses, oligarchs, and organized crime to obtain influence in the security sector.
The second paper details how Moscow evades the numerous sanctions placed against it by Western countries following Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The report provides specifics on the shell and front companies the Kremlin uses to obtain sanctioned goods and the trade agreements and cooperatives the country takes advantage of to bypass global trade restrictions.
The series offers in depth recommendations for European leaders to combat Russian influence in Europe and put an end to the Kremlin’s corrupt practices on the continent.
Read the first two papers in the series here
Learn more about the Bush Institute’s work on Corruption and Kleptocracy here.
Subscribe to the Bush Center's weekly newsletter for our latest insights, news, and analysis.
About the George W. Bush Institute
The George W. Bush Institute is a solution-oriented nonpartisan policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies. Housed within the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Bush Institute is rooted in compassionate conservative values and committed to creating positive, meaningful, and lasting change at home and abroad. We utilize our unique platform and convening power to advance solutions to national and global issues of the day. Learn more at bushcenter.org.
|