'This is a most valuable and timely review of Royal Navy/Russian Navy relations, ably compiled by two highly qualified authoritative authors. From wide experience they analyse periods when the two Navies have deterred each other to a promising quarter-century of constructive dialogue ending in further depressing antagonism. Strongly recommended.' Admiral Sir Jock Slater GCB LVO. First Sea Lord, 1995-98'This excellent book provides not only a superb historical record of the relationship between the Royal and Russian Navies, but also offers hugely insightful analysis on the importance of understanding and engagement. Enriched with fascinating vignettes of personal interactions revealing the character of the Russian naval leadership, it is gold dust for anyone involved in developing maritime strategy and policy.' Admiral Sir Tim Fraser KCB. Vice Chief of Defence Staff, 2019-22 'Whatever the eventual outcome of the Russo-Ukraine war, Russia is not going to go away. It will remain a major and uncomfortable player in the European scene. For that reason alone, we are going to have to think about how to deal with it. The Royal and Russian Navies should help us do so because it reminds us that alongside the very necessary requirements to deter and defend against future aggression, there is a need for dialogue and pragmatic engagement if only to prevent things getting worse. This completely unique and quite fascinating review of the initially hopeful but eventually failing role that the two navies played in this process before Russia’s attack on Ukraine provides both encouragement and warning. It gives a very human account and is highly recommended. Policy-makers, in particular, need to read it.' Geoff Till, Emeritus Professor of Maritime Studies of King's College London 'This outstanding book provides a critical assessment of Putin’s Russia, focussing on the clash of cultures between open and closed societies, one that can be traced through the very different ways in which closed societies attempt to run navies, and the strategic priorities that shape Soviet and Russian naval policy. Russian Fleets have always focused on defending the homeland, as territory and ideology, they had no interest in refighting a Battle of the Atlantic.' Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History, King's College London'The Royal and Russian Navies is a quite exceptional book, a true unprejudiced historical record of a unique moment in time from the pragmatic and professional viewpoint of the people actually engaged in it. Navies both reflect and affect the countries they defend and the strategic environment within which they operate. The book also illustrates both these points exactly. Better still for something so important, it is written in an engaging reader-friendly style and painlessly leaves us with much to ponder that is especially appropriate for these tumultuous times.'Professor Geoffrey Till, The Naval Review'David Fields and Robert Avery [...] provide a most timely assessment of naval frenemies. It is also an excellent profile of the Russian navy since the late 1980s.'Iain Ballantyne, Warships International Fleet Review'Fields and Avery’s thoughtful study provides an important and evocative historical record of a significant period in modern naval diplomacy. It is a reminder that human factors can materially affect such a process, and provides firm guidance to those contemplating when, how and why to look to navies to forge greater stability in global affairs.'Nick Childs, Survival (The International Institute for Strategic Studies)'The one thread that links all the sections, chapters, anecdotes and observations of the book is the importance the authors attach to communication. The ability to discuss problems, to closely observe the other and to talk is something that Avery and Fields rightly challenge us to remember; Russia and its navy is not going to go away. Whether friend or adversary, Western navies - indeed, Western states - will have to coexist with it, and navies provide a very useful vehicle through which those conversations can be had, whether in competition, cooperation or confrontation.'Duncan Redford, The RUSI Journal
