Russia’s Silence Conceals a Preference for Brexit

On balance, a British withdrawal from the EU would bolster Russia's preferred geopolitical narratives and make it more difficult for the West to counter Russian power plays.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: Brexit And The Balance Of Power http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-and-the-balance-of-power/

ESO: Background information: What would Brexit mean for EU sanctions policy? http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-would-brexit-mean-for-eu-sanctions-policy/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 14.11.15: Russia: A new twist for an awkward partnership http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2015/11/14/views-on-the-uks-renegotiation-russia-ukraine-and-turkey/#One

BBC News, 07.06.16: EU referendum: Would Brexit make Putin happy? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36461020

The Guardian, 19.05.16: For Russia, Brexit would be an opportunity not a tragedy https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/19/for-russia-brexit-would-be-an-opportunity-not-a-tragedy

FT, 02.06.16: [Opinion]: Vladimir Putin is not ready to toast Brexit https://next.ft.com/content/037f03fa-2437-11e6-9d4d-c11776a5124d

The Conversation, 15.06.16: Fact Check: does Vladimir Putin really want a Brexit from the European Union? https://theconversation.com/fact-check-does-vladimir-putin-really-want-a-brexit-from-the-european-union-60831

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 30.06.16: Britain’s Leave Vote Is an Opening for Putin https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/britain-s-leave-vote-opening-putin

BBC News, 26.06.16: EU referendum: What does Russia gain from Brexit? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36629146

Sputnik International, 24.06.16: Russia Not Celebrating Brexit, Interested in Strong Europe - Ministry http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160624/1041881935/brexit-europe-ministry.html

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