For Ukraine, EU Sanctions on Russia Hang in the Balance, March 21, 2016, Worldview
Russia announced its withdrawal from the ISS in 2014.
NASA wants to keep the ISS for the next 10 years.
For this, Russian cooperation is essential. Although the ISS is divided
between the United States and Russian militaries, the reality is that they depend on each other for important resources, such as posture control and power.
Keeping the ISS in orbit, for example, requires the monthly usage of Russian thrusters modules. This is why the United States cannot tolerate
the absence of Russia.
Following Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine,
the United States and other Western countries have imposed sanctions
on Russian officials involved in military action in Ukraine’s Crimea.
Efrem Lukatsky, Russia-Ukraine Tensions,
March 3, 2014, CBS News
Wojtek Radwanski, Ukraine Will Have to Live With Putin's Delusions,
December 2014, Huffpost
Outraged, Russia used the ISS as an excuse to ensure the United States funding. However, Russia's dependence on oil exports has fatally impacted the economy
as prices fell following the largest decline in modern history.
Gavyn Davies, Large Global Benefits from the 2014 Oil Shock, November 12, 2014, Financial Times
David Simonds, Why Russia’s Financial Crises Keep on Coming,
December 21, 2014, the Guardian
Steve Sack, 2014, The Week
As the Russian economy collapsed, economic pressure became a dilemma,
and the controversy over the ISS expulsion also faded.
Russia again announced its withdrawal from the ISS in April 2021.
This declaration of withdrawal is within Russia's strategy to achieve its aims.
Russia has benefited significantly from the operation of the ISS.
Ramish Zafar, SpaceX Is Qualified To Fly Russian Cosmonauts Says Space Agency Head,
October 25, 2021, NASA
Ramish Zafar, SpaceX Is Qualified To Fly Russian Cosmonauts Says Space Agency Head,
October 25, 2021, NASA
However, the growing involvement of private companies,
who can take astronauts to the ISS themselves, has greatly reduced the importance of and need for Russia's Soyuz capabilities.
Commercial Crew Program, April 2014, NASA
Celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the COTS Program, August 17, 2016, NASA
Commercial Crew Program, April 2014, NASA
In 2020, the United States succeeded in transporting astronauts
to SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. The United States' dependence on Russia
is now no longer an issue. For the same purpose, a development witness,
Boeing's Starliner is also making a final test flight. Russia,
whose thick financial line is blocked, is applying 'pressure'
to demand 'maintenance cost' funds from the United States.
Perhaps Russia could demand new sources of financial commitments
from NASA by threatening to leave.
SpaceX: astronauts arrive at International Space Station on 'recycled' rocket,
April 24, 2021, Guardian News