Fragmentation of Russia in the current context would be the worst possible outcome because the U.S. needs a coherent Russian state with a strong central government to maintain control of nuclear weapons, making it in the Western interest to NOT want Russian fragmentation.
normativepending
Speaker
Bob GatesEvidence Quote
“the last thing we should want is the fragmentation of Russia. We need a coherent Russian state”
Source
Robert M. Gates on Ukraine, China and the international order (Full Stream 2/1)— Washington Post LiveCreated: 8/11/2026, 1:02:47 AM
My Notes
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