For the third time in the history of modern statecraft, Russia is attempting to climb its cycle of power relative to that of its rivals in the central international system. Under Vladimir Putin, Russia is seeking a larger foreign policy role. It has used force in Abkhazia, Georgia, Crimea, and Eastern Ukraine. Like the other authoritarian Great Power, China, Russia is trying to create a sphere of influence around itself. Yet the European Union is able to deter an expansionist Russia. But to better safeguard security, the EU needs to enhance its defense capability, to make its capability more interoperable with that of the United States, and to coordinate its defense effort across EU members. In strategic terms, NATO is fully able to obtain Russia’s respect and to supply an adequate deterrent to potential aggression.