The Inquiry: Is The West At War With Russia?

In the second of two programmes on Russia, The Inquiry asks if Russia and the West are in a state of war.

Russia is accused of hacking, attempted spy killings on foreign soil, and interference in democratic processes. But is the West engaged in a similar war against Russia? Russia says it is, citing the expansion of NATO borders into Eastern Europe and America’s support for the Ukrainian Maidan protests in 2014 as examples.

A harsh sanctions regime has been making life misery for the Russian elite. And former US spy chiefs tell stories of election meddling by America that easily match anything Russia has done so far - albeit not as skilful in a cyber sense. There’s talk of a new Cold War. So what exactly is the West up to?

Kavita Puri hears from four experts who give their opinion.

• Produced by Lucy Proctor for BBC World Service

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