Mikhail Polianskii

Researcher

Mikhail Polianskii is a Postdoctoral Researcher in PRIF’s Research Department International Institutions. His research interests are Russia’s foreign and domestic policy, Post-Soviet Space and European security.

Mikhail Polianskii
polianskii(at)prif.org

CV

| since 2024
Post-doc at PATTERN

| 2021
Visiting Fellow at National Research University Higher School of Economics/School of World Economy and International Relations in Moscow (Russia) (04/21–06/21)

| 2019–2024
Doctoral Researcher at PRIF

| 2017–2019
Master studies "World Politics", Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO)

| 2017–2018
Scholarship of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Moscow

| 2016
Internships at the Russian Foreign Affairs Council (RIAC) BRICS Department (Moscow)

| 2013–2017
Bachelor studies "International Relations", Voronezh State University, Russia

Projects

Highlights

Inside Vladimir Putin’s Hall of Mirrors

Cover of the journal Nationalities Papers with a picture of white and red roses, each with small strips of paper with messages tied to them, lying on a stone floor New open access article by Mikhail Polianskii on Russian misperceptions that led to the invasion of Ukraine

Russia's Withdrawal from the European Security Order ...

Mikhail Polianskii stands laughing next to his doctoral student mother Nicole Deitelhoff, his presentation flickering on the wall in the background Mikhail Polianskii has successfully defended his dissertation

Nuclear Strategies in Light of Russia’s War of Aggression ...

US President Joe Biden and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin meet for a Russia-United States summit at the Villa La Grange. Photo taken June 16, 2021. New PRIF report on the intensification of the nuclear threat level due to the Russian war of aggression

Publications

  • Inside Vladimir Putin's Hall of Mirrors. How the Kremlin's Miscalculation of Western Resolve Emboldened Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
    | 2024
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2024): Inside Vladimir Putin's Hall of Mirrors. How the Kremlin's Miscalculation of Western Resolve Emboldened Russia's Invasion of Ukraine, Nationalities Papers: Online First, 1–19. DOI: 10.1017/nps.2024.76
    Publication
  • Russian Foreign Policy Research and War in Ukraine
    | 2024
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2024): Russian Foreign Policy Research and War in Ukraine, Communist and Post-Communist Studies (CPCS), 1–17. DOI: 10.1525/cpcs.2024.2112378
  • Utility-based predictions of military escalation: Why experts forecasted Russia would not invade Ukraine
    | 2023
    Driedger, Jonas J.; Polianskii, Mikhail (2023): Utility-based predictions of military escalation: Why experts forecasted Russia would not invade Ukraine, Contemporary Security Policy. DOI: 10.1080/13523260.2023.2259153
  • With friends like these: the Sino-Russian partnership is based on interests, not ideology
    | 2023
    Abb, Pascal; Polianskii, Mikhail (2023): With friends like these: the Sino-Russian partnership is based on interests, not ideology, Zeitschrift für Friedens- und Konfliktforschung. DOI: 10.1007/s42597-023-00090-2
  • The Perils of Ruxit: Russia's Tension-Ridden Dissociation from the European Security Order
    | 2022
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2022): The Perils of Ruxit: Russia's Tension-Ridden Dissociation from the European Security Order, Historical Social Research, 47: 2, 77–108. DOI: 10.12759/hsr.47.2022.17
  • Von Gorbatschow zu Putin. Der gescheiterte Versuch, der Geschichte zu entkommen
    | 2022
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2022): Von Gorbatschow zu Putin. Der gescheiterte Versuch, der Geschichte zu entkommen, Netzwerk Friedenskooperative, Bonn.
    Publication
  • Russia’s Dissociation from the Paris Charter-Based Order
    | 2021
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2021): Russia’s Dissociation from the Paris Charter-Based Order, Russia in Global Affairs, 76: 4, 36–58.
    Publication
  • Russia and the West: Causes of Tensions and Strategies for their Mitigation
    | 2021
    Dembinski, Matthias; Polianskii, Mikhail (2021): Russia and the West: Causes of Tensions and Strategies for their Mitigation, Russia and the Contemporary World, 110: 1, 5-20.
    Publication
  • Belarus: Gefangen im russisch-deutsch-polnischen Dreieck
    | 2020
    Polianskii, Mikhail; Richter, Michael (2020): Belarus: Gefangen im russisch-deutsch-polnischen Dreieck, Welttrends, 12: 170, 9–15.
    Publication
  • Book Review: Post Putin. Succession, Stability, and Russia’s Future
    | 2020
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2020): Book Review: Post Putin. Succession, Stability, and Russia’s Future, Europe-Asia Studies, 72: 10, 1767–1768. DOI: 10.1080/09668136.2020.1847879

  • Ukraine Debates the Future of Nato
    | 2021
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2021): Ukraine Debates the Future of Nato, in: Dembinski, Mathias/Fehl, Caroline (eds), Three visions for NATO. Mapping National Debates on the Future of the Atlantic Alliance, Berlin: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, 93–97.
    Publication
  • Russia's Ambivalence on Southeast Europe Strategy
    | 2019
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2019): Russia's Ambivalence on Southeast Europe Strategy, Study Group Information, 15, Vienna: Austrian National Defence Academy in co-operation with the PfP Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes.
    Publication

  • Nuclear Threats, Nuclear Deterrence, and the Future of Nuclear Restraint Regimes After Russia’s War of Aggression
    | 2024
    Dembinski, Matthias; Polianskii, Mikhail (2024): Nuclear Threats, Nuclear Deterrence, and the Future of Nuclear Restraint Regimes After Russia’s War of Aggression, PRIF Report, 4, Frankfurt/M. DOI: 10.48809/prifrep2405
    ISBN: 978-3-946459-96-5
  • Ein ungewöhnlicher Gefangenenaustausch: Win-Win oder ein gefährlicher Präzedenzfall?
    | 2024
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2024): Ein ungewöhnlicher Gefangenenaustausch: Win-Win oder ein gefährlicher Präzedenzfall?, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Expect the worst, prepare for the best: Frieden verhandeln
    | 2024
    Deitelhoff, Nicole; Dembinski, Matthias; Driedger, Jonas J.; Gromes, Thorsten; Hirschler, Helena; Marauhn, Thilo; Peez, Anton; Polianskii, Mikhail; Schreiber, Franziska (2024): Expect the worst, prepare for the best: Frieden verhandeln, in: Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC)/Leibniz-Institut Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (PRIF)/Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Hamburg (IFSH)/Institut für Entwicklung und Frieden (INEF) (eds), Friedensgutachten 2024, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, 115–129.
    Publication
  • Wendepunkt in den Russland-Israel-Beziehungen
    | 2023
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2023): Wendepunkt in den Russland-Israel-Beziehungen, PRIF BLOG.
    Publication
  • Xi and Putin’s Strategic Tango: Unpacking the Complexities of Russia-China Relations After the 2023 Moscow Summit
    | 2023
    Abb, Pascal; Polianskii, Mikhail (2023): Xi and Putin’s Strategic Tango: Unpacking the Complexities of Russia-China Relations After the 2023 Moscow Summit, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • The Perils of Ruxit: Russia’s Tension-Ridden Dissociation from the European Security Order
    | 2022
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2022): The Perils of Ruxit: Russia’s Tension-Ridden Dissociation from the European Security Order, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Putin’s Mobilisation, Annexation and Nuclear Threats: Last-Ditch Effort or More of the Same?
    | 2022
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2022): Putin’s Mobilisation, Annexation and Nuclear Threats: Last-Ditch Effort or More of the Same?, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Fokus: Friedens- und Sicherheitspolitik nach der Zeitenwende
    | 2022
    Abb, Pascal; Daase, Christopher; Debiel, Tobias; Dembinski, Matthias; Deitelhoff, Nicole; Polianskii, Mikhail; Schetter, Conrad; Schröder, Ursula; Schörnig, Niklas (2022): Fokus: Friedens- und Sicherheitspolitik nach der Zeitenwende, in: Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC)/Leibniz-Institut Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (HSFK)/Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Hamburg (IFSH)/Institut für Entwicklung und Frieden (INEF) (eds), Friedensgutachten 2022, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, 25-43.
    Publication
  • The Battle for Minds and Hearts of Russians and the Double-sided Effect of Sanctions
    | 2022
    la Cour, Celine Emma; Polianskii, Mikhail (2022): The Battle for Minds and Hearts of Russians and the Double-sided Effect of Sanctions, PRIF BLOG.
    Publication
  • A new Sino-Russian Entente?
    | 2022
    Abb, Pascal; Polianskii, Mikhail (2022): A new Sino-Russian Entente?. The limits of cooperation on Ukraine and beyond, PRIF Spotlight, 2, Frankfurt/M. DOI: 10.48809/prifspot2202
  • The Russian Military Build-Up Near the Ukrainian Border: Offensive Intentions or Diplomatic Signaling?
    | 2021
    Polianskii, Mikhail; Dembinski, Matthias (2021): The Russian Military Build-Up Near the Ukrainian Border: Offensive Intentions or Diplomatic Signaling?, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Transnistrien-Konflikt: zwischen der Republik Moldau und der selbsternannten Transnistrischen Republik
    | 2021
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2021): Transnistrien-Konflikt: zwischen der Republik Moldau und der selbsternannten Transnistrischen Republik, in: lpd (eds).
    Publication
  • Bewaffnete Konflikte: Krieg in Osteuropa
    | 2021
    Heinemann-Grüder, Andreas; Polianskii, Mikhail; Rogova, Vera; Schetter, Conrad; Wirkus, Lars (2021): Bewaffnete Konflikte: Krieg in Osteuropa, in: Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC)/Leibniz-Institut Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (HSFK)/Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Hamburg (IFSH)/Institut für Entwicklung und Frieden (INEF) (eds), Friedensgutachten 2021, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, 48-73.
    Publication
  • Green is the New Black? What Might the “Green” German Foreign Policy vis-à-vis Russia Look Like?
    | 2021
    Willkomm, Etienne; Polianskii, Mikhail (2021): Green is the New Black? What Might the “Green” German Foreign Policy vis-à-vis Russia Look Like?, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Breaking the vicious circle
    | 2020
    Polianskii, Mikhail; Wagner, Rebecca (2020): Breaking the vicious circle. Can the new Moldovan president Sandu succeed in balancing relations with the EU and Russia?, PRIF Spotlight, 19, Frankfurt/M.
  • This time, Russia сould not care less
    | 2020
    Polianskii, Mikhail; Rogova, Vera (2020): This time, Russia сould not care less, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Der Fall Nawalny und die westliche Reaktion – keine Auswege aus der Destruktionsspirale?
    | 2020
    Dembinski, Matthias; Polianskii, Mikhail (2020): Der Fall Nawalny und die westliche Reaktion – keine Auswege aus der Destruktionsspirale?, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Winning Elections but Losing the Country. What does a Weakened Lukashenka Regime Mean for European Security?
    | 2020
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2020): Winning Elections but Losing the Country. What does a Weakened Lukashenka Regime Mean for European Security?, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Russland und der Westen
    | 2020
    Dembinski, Matthias; Polianskii, Mikhail (2020): Russland und der Westen. Von der spannungsgeladenen Trennung zur Koexistenz?, PRIF Report, 2, Frankfurt/M.
  • What Does the New Russian Constitution Mean for European Security?
    | 2020
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2020): What Does the New Russian Constitution Mean for European Security?, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Institutionelle Friedenssicherung: Wer ordnet die Welt? Neue Mächte und alte Institutionen
    | 2020
    Christian, Ben; Deitelhoff, Nicole; Dembinski, Matthias; Hofmann, Gregor P.; Noesselt, Nele; Peez, Anton; Polianskii, Mikhail (2020): Institutionelle Friedenssicherung: Wer ordnet die Welt? Neue Mächte und alte Institutionen, in: Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC)/Leibniz-Institut Hessische Stiftung Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (HSFK)/Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Hamburg (IFSH)/Institut für Entwicklung und Frieden (INEF) (eds), Friedensgutachten 2020, Bielefeld: transcript Verlag, 116-137.
    Publication
  • From Russia with Love?! Putin and the Pandemic
    | 2020
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2020): From Russia with Love?! Putin and the Pandemic, PRIF Blog.
    Publication
  • Lost in transition?
    | 2020
    Polianskii, Mikhail; Rogova, Vera (2020): Lost in transition?. Putin's strategy for 2024, PRIF Spotlight, 1, Frankfurt/M.
  • What does the Normandy Summit mean for the peace process in Ukraine?
    | 2019
    Polianskii, Mikhail (2019): What does the Normandy Summit mean for the peace process in Ukraine?, PRIF Blog.
    Publication

Further Activities

| since 2019
Board Member of the German-Russian Youth Organization DRJUG (Alumni Association of the German-Russian Youth Parliament)

| since 2017
Board member/co-chair of Deutsch-Russische Jugendinitiative für Zusammenarbeitet (DRJUG) e.V.

  • “Unpacking Autocratic Alignment Dynamics: Sino-Russian Relations in the New Era of Great Power Competition”, June 25 2024, Eighth Annual Tartu Conference on East European and Eurasian Studies, June 19–22 2024, University of Tartu, Tartu (Estonia).
  • “Ruxit Revisited: Unravelling Russia's Dissociation from the Pan-European Security Order”, June 08 2024, BISA 2024 Conference, June 5-8 2024, British International Studies Association, Birmingham (United Kingdom).
  • “Russia's War in Ukraine and the Future of the European Security”, May 29 2024, May 27–29 2024, BASIC, Vienna (Austria).
  • “Russia's Challenge to the Global Order after Ukraine (Roundtable)”, April 17 2024, ISA Annual Convention 2024, April 4–8 2024, International Studies Associaition, San Francisco, CA (California, USA). 
  • “Same old geopolitics or new era of international relations? Sino-Russian alignment and consequences for EU foreign policy” (with Pascal Abb), March 17 2023, ISA Annual Convention 2023, March 15–18 2023, Montreal (Canada).  

  • “‘Der Russland-Ukraine-Krieg‘: Bestandsaufnahme und Ausblick”, February 6 2024, Vortrag mit anschließender Diskussion: Anlässlich des 2. Jahrestages des russischen Überfalls auf die Ukraine, einen Vortrag, um Zwischenbilanz zu ziehen und auf mögliche Zukunftsszenarien des Krieges einzugehen., February 6 2024, Freundeskreis Frankfurt/Krakau Deutsch-Polnische Gesellschaft Frankfurt am Main e.V., Frankfurt/M.
  • “Russland, der Krieg in der Ukraine und die Europäische Sicherheit”, March 9 2023, Lions Club Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden.
  • “Ein Jahr nach dem russischen Überfall auf die Ukraine”, February 24 2023, Freundeskreis Frankfurt/Krakau e.V., February 24 2023, Frankfurt/M.
  • with Stefan Kroll: “Krieg in der Ukraine – Ist der Frieden in Europa zu Ende?” March 1 2022, VHS Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M.
  • “Russland in der entstehenden multipolaren Welt: Spoiler der westlichen Ordnung oder neo-revisionistische Macht?” October 26 2021, Vortragsreihe der VHS Frankfurt: Studium Generale dual, October 26 2021, VHS Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M.

  • Meeting with the Korean consul; political consulting for PRIF in Frankfurt, political consulting for PRIF, topics: War in Ukraine; Russian-Korean security agreement after V. Putin's visit to North Korea and its significance for security in East Asia.
  • with Pascal Abb, Stefan Kroll: Exchange on Russia-Ukraine war, Euro-Atlantic relations and Indo-Pacific; policy advice for PRIF, visit to the Institute by Russell Willig, Professional Staff Memeber, US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
  • with Jonas J. Driedger: Consulting for the Consulate General of Japan - Consul General and Head of the Political and Press Department; Political Consulting for the Consulate General of Japan Frankfurt, Consulting for the Consulate General of Japan - Consul General and Head of the Political and Press Department.
  • with Jonas J. Driedger: Exchange with Jo, Bee Yun (Korean Institute for Defense Analyses KIDA); Policy advice for PRIF in Frankfurt, expert discussions, interviews and participation in events organized by various NGOs.
  • mit Pascal Abb: Meeting with the Japanese consulate; policy advice for PRIF, topics: War in Ukraine, significance for security in East Asia.

| 2021
Johanna-Quandt-Scholarship for the participation at the European Forum Alpbach

| 2020
Analytical Essay-Contest winner of the National Competition "Russia, Europe, World", EU representative in the Russian Federation, Moscow (Russia)

| 2019
Egon Bahr Fellowship, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung