Relationship dossier
Cook Islands
Russia
Relationship assessment
Russian recognition of the Cook Islands contrasts with Cook Islands sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.
Cook Islands toward Russia
-20The Cook Islands enacted the Russia Sanctions Act in 2022, creating a framework for sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia toward Cook Islands
+10Russia recognized the Cook Islands as a sovereign state in 2011. The scope of practical cooperation following that recognition is unclear.
Overall relationship
0The relationship has limited apparent substance, with Russia’s recognition of the Cook Islands as a sovereign state offset by the Cook Islands’ sanctions response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The extent of ongoing bilateral cooperation is unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Russia recognized the Cook Islands as a sovereign state in 2011. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Cook Islands enacted a sanctions framework targeting Russia in 2022. These actions indicate a limited relationship shaped by recognition and a significant disagreement over Russia’s conduct in Ukraine.
Areas of tension
- Cook Islands sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Key developments
Russia recognized the Cook Islands as a sovereign state.
The Cook Islands enacted the Russia Sanctions Act, creating a framework for sanctions against Russia.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of practical cooperation following Russia’s recognition of the Cook Islands is unclear.
- The scope and implementation of Cook Islands sanctions against Russia are unclear.