Il Congresso degli Stati Uniti e la Federazione Russa dalla fine della Guerra Fredda a oggi

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, hopes for a future devoid of constant competition between great powers have gradually faded. In particular, the deterioration of the relations between the Russian Federation and the United States is one of the main reasons for the «return of geopolitics»1. In the United States the role of Congress, even if not well investigated, has often been pivotal to shape the foreign policy of the country toward Moscow. This paper examines the U.S. Congress’s approach toward the Russian Federation during the past thirty years and, specifically, the evolution from the cautious but optimistic attitude in the Nineties to the open hostility after the Russian occupation of Crimea. Noticeably, in the past five years – also due to the election of Donald Trump as U.S. President – the role of the Congress has been preeminent in the elaboration of Washington’s response to Russian assertiveness; however, the election of Joe Biden could restore the previous balance between the White House and the Congress, bringing back to the former the leadership for what concerns the relations between the Russian Federation and the United States.