Russian elite interests
-The oligarchy – the upper crust of the new capitalist class, product of the post-communist transformation
-Most important sources of wealth: oil, gas and arms
-Dependent on the West, primarily the US
-Dependent on the Russian state, wants to rationalize it
-Needs traditional foreign policy assets of the USSR
-Assertive in the political sphere
-Seeks economic opportunities worldwide
-Intertwined with state bureaucracy