Bear With Us: What Is To Be Done About Russia?

Russia’s current war against Ukraine has made it plain that the hope for Russian liberalization and Europeanization after the Cold War has run aground. The war has dramatically changed the shape of Russian politics and likely the Russian state itself, with a future that is both uncertain and potentially more dangerous.

Post cold-war efforts to account for Russia in the existing transatlantic and European security architecture have broken down, and newer and even bigger threats might continue to emerge from a weakened and perhaps further disintegrated Russian Federation.

In this context, all likely scenarios for the future of the Russian state are worrying. How to bolster Europe and the wider region against these acute and worsening threats, while continuing to engage and work with Russian youth, civil society, artists, scientists, and the private sector will present a significant and long-term challenge for the future of Europe.

During a three-day off-the-record, high-level dialogue at Salzburg Global Seminar, we will explore scenarios and questions about what to do about Russia and what options exist to engage, contain, and hold Russia accountable in a post-war context.

Date

Oct 18 - Oct 21, 2023

Session no.

S809-01

Location

Schloss Leopoldskron, Salzburg, Austria

Contact

Charles Ehrlich

Director, Peace and Justice

Kateryna Anselmi

Program Manager, Peace and Justice

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PROGRAM GOALS / OUTCOMES

To provide an in-depth setting for open and critical discussion of key issues affecting the political, strategic, economic, and cultural relationships between the US, Europe, and Russia.
To explore ideas and scenarios for future engagement with Russia, from short-term and more punitive responses to the war in Ukraine, to questions of accountability and reconstruction; to cautious reengagement that reestablishes diplomatic, economic, scientific, and cultural channels of cooperation and conflict resolution; to more radical responses to further regional destabilization in the face of a failing and disintegrating Russian state.
To engage and understand how lessons from other historical conflicts and post-war reconstruction efforts might be applicable to the current context and to explore what historical mistakes might be avoided.

FORMAT AND OUTCOME

The Forum will convene approximately 40 participants for a 3-day meeting at Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, Austria.

The program will consist of panels, discussions, small group dialogues, and informal debates. Emphasis will be placed on a completely open and off-the-record exchange of views and ideas. We will strictly adhere to the Chatham House Rule.

Following the discussions, Salzburg Global – working with select partners – will produce a white paper to provide a critical analysis of the issues and propose ideas for consideration.

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

The program will include those with insights into political, economic, and security developments within and across Russia, the dynamics of other ongoing conflicts on Europe’s periphery, the future of NATO, and representatives from other regions affected by Russian aggression and other historical conflicts where lessons can be drawn.

Participants will represent a global and cross-sectoral group from governments; think tanks; civil society; human rights activists; legal experts; journalists and the media; universities; diplomatic circles; politics; and business.

We welcome participation from others with relevant experience, including organizations providing humanitarian aid and assistance; innovators in the technology sector; and those with backgrounds in promoting the rule of law and transitional justice.

Content overview

Additional Info