Canada’s former ambassador to Russia has returned from her three-year assignment with insights on how to combat Moscow’s “cognitive warfare” against the NATO alliance and why maintaining sanctions on oil and gas can hinder Vladimir Putin’s ability to fund his military operations.
Sarah Taylor’s tenure in Moscow, which concluded on Oct. 8, coincided with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and marked a return to a Cold War mindset, as she shared in a recent interview with CBC News. While concerns exist within NATO about a potential conventional Russian invasion, Taylor believes the more imminent threat lies in the ongoing cognitive warfare tactics employed by Russia.
According to Taylor, Russia’s adept use of propaganda leverages its understanding of Western systems and language skills to maximize the impact of its campaigns. She suggests that the sizable Russian dissident community, including independent journalists residing outside Russia, could serve as a valuable counterforce in the realm of cognitive warfare.
Addressing Putin’s financial challenges in sustaining the war effort, Taylor highlights the strain on Russia’s resources, particularly due to the prolonged duration of the conflict exceeding initial expectations. She emphasizes the significance of maintaining sanctions, especially those targeting the oil and gas sector, which she argues poses a significant dilemma for the Russian government in financing its military activities.
Despite the economic toll of the conflict on Russia, Taylor notes the government’s efforts to maintain a semblance of normalcy in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, recent Ukrainian attacks on strategic targets in Russia have started to disrupt daily life and evoke Cold War sentiments.
While acknowledging that her interactions in Russia may not represent a comprehensive cross-section of Russian sentiment, Taylor asserts that support for the war among ordinary Russians is scarce. She underscores the stark contrast between the desire for the conflict to end and the limited avenues available for dissent, given the significant number of political dissidents currently detained in Russian jails.