Russia’s Influence in Eurasia & Beyond MCQs with Answers
Which of the following countries is a former Soviet republic that remains heavily influenced by Russia?
a) Poland
b) Ukraine
c) Estonia
d) Kazakhstan
What is the primary purpose of Russia’s “Eurasian Economic Union”?
a) To create a free trade area in Eastern Europe
b) To counter NATO’s influence in Europe
c) To promote economic and political cooperation among former Soviet states
d) To encourage Western European nations to join the union
Which country did Russia annex in 2014, leading to a major international crisis?
a) Moldova
b) Armenia
c) Crimea
d) Belarus
What has been a major consequence of Russia’s involvement in Ukraine?
a) Increased economic sanctions from Western countries
b) A new trade agreement with the European Union
c) Full membership in NATO
d) Widespread acceptance of Russia’s territorial claims
Russia’s influence in Central Asia is largely due to its:
a) Military alliances with the region’s nations
b) Economic and energy ties
c) Political system aligned with authoritarian regimes
d) Support for local independence movements
Which of the following is an example of Russia’s involvement in the Syrian Civil War?
a) Providing military aid to the Syrian government
b) Leading a peacekeeping mission
c) Supporting Kurdish forces
d) Establishing a military base in Turkey
Which major European country relies heavily on Russian natural gas for its energy needs?
a) Germany
b) France
c) Italy
d) Spain
Which Russian leader is credited with reasserting Russia’s influence in Eurasia and global politics after the collapse of the Soviet Union?
a) Dmitry Medvedev
b) Boris Yeltsin
c) Mikhail Gorbachev
d) Vladimir Putin
What has been a primary goal of Russia’s foreign policy in Eastern Europe?
a) Promote democratic governance
b) Ensure a sphere of influence for security and political reasons
c) Encourage NATO membership for its neighbors
d) Decrease trade ties with Europe
Which country did Russia engage in a military conflict with in 2008, known as the Russo-Georgian War?
a) Moldova
b) Armenia
c) Georgia
d) Azerbaijan
Russia’s involvement in which region has been a focal point of its rivalry with the West?
a) South America
b) The Middle East
c) East Asia
d) Sub-Saharan Africa
Which Russian geopolitical strategy involves the use of energy supplies to exert influence on neighboring countries?
a) Energy diplomacy
b) Expansionism
c) Economic soft power
d) Military intervention
Which of the following countries has Russia provided military support to in its conflict with Western-backed forces?
a) Venezuela
b) Ukraine
c) Moldova
d) Poland
Russia’s participation in which international organization highlights its importance in global security matters?
a) European Union
b) United Nations Security Council
c) World Trade Organization
d) Organization of American States
Which Russian region has been the focus of tensions with NATO countries, particularly due to its proximity to Ukraine?
a) Kaliningrad Oblast
b) Kamchatka
c) Chechnya
d) Siberia
Which of the following strategies has Russia used to assert its influence in Central and Eastern Europe?
a) Supporting independence movements
b) Offering economic assistance packages
c) Disrupting energy supplies
d) Establishing military bases in NATO countries
What is the role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), led by Russia?
a) Promoting economic cooperation in Eurasia
b) Enhancing military cooperation among former Soviet republics
c) Facilitating trade with the West
d) Ensuring democratic governance in member countries
Which country did Russia enter into a partnership with in 2014 to ensure energy security in the region?
a) Turkey
b) Iran
c) India
d) Belarus
Which of the following regions has seen a major Russian military presence due to strategic interests?
a) Central America
b) Arctic Circle
c) The South Pacific
d) South Asia
Which European country has had tense relations with Russia due to its support of EU and NATO expansion?
a) Poland
b) Greece
c) Austria
d) Italy
What is Russia’s strategic interest in the Black Sea region?
a) Promoting tourism and trade
b) Gaining access to vital Mediterranean shipping routes
c) Securing a strong naval presence
d) Supporting democratic movements
Which of the following territories did Russia annex in 2008, further escalating tensions with neighboring countries?
a) South Ossetia
b) Transnistria
c) Crimea
d) Nagorno-Karabakh
Russia’s strategic partnership with which country has been increasingly important in counterbalancing Western influence in Eurasia?
a) China
b) India
c) Brazil
d) Saudi Arabia
What is the main goal of Russia’s military presence in Syria?
a) To support the Syrian government and maintain influence in the region
b) To protect global shipping lanes
c) To promote the spread of democracy
d) To support rebel groups fighting against ISIS
Which organization has Russia sought to weaken through its influence in Eurasia and beyond?
a) NATO
b) World Trade Organization
c) G7
d) United Nations
Which of the following has been a significant Russian foreign policy tool in influencing countries like Belarus and Armenia?
a) Military aid and economic incentives
b) Democratic outreach
c) Climate change agreements
d) Peacekeeping forces
Russia’s invasion of which country in 2022 significantly reshaped its relations with the West?
a) Georgia
b) Ukraine
c) Armenia
d) Azerbaijan
Which of the following countries is part of Russia’s “near abroad” and has experienced considerable Russian political and military involvement?
a) Finland
b) Kazakhstan
c) Portugal
d) Sweden
The expansion of which alliance has been a significant source of tension between Russia and the West?
a) G20
b) European Union
c) NATO
d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Which of the following is a main objective of Russia’s foreign policy in the Arctic region?
a) Strengthening environmental protections
b) Securing access to valuable natural resources and trade routes
c) Promoting military disarmament
d) Building global alliances for peace
Russia has historically viewed which group as a primary threat due to their expansion of influence in Eastern Europe?
a) European Union
b) United Nations
c) NATO
d) G20
Which country is one of Russia’s primary partners in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)?
a) India
b) China
c) Japan
d) Germany
Which of the following countries has Russia supported in its ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh?
a) Armenia
b) Turkey
c) Kazakhstan
d) Georgia