Policy Brief "Why is HIV/AIDS a Public Policy Priority for Russia?" provides an assessment of the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its expected consequences in the Russian Federation, includes overview and analysis of actions against HIV/AIDS epidemic currently undertaken and aimed at curbing the epidemic, identifies strategic barriers preventing effective prevention and fight against HIV/AIDS. The publication proposes measures that should be considered by policy-makers in the course of HIV/AIDS policy formulation. The epidemic is shifting away from high-risk groups into the general population which testifies to an urgent need for political leaders to expand their commitment to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, their involvement in effective HIV/AIDS policy formulation and strengthening legislative response to the epidemic. The spread of HIV/AIDS exceeds the scope of a purely medical problem. This is an issue of strategic, economic and social security that impacts the whole society.