The seventh iteration of the Annual Conference on Russia, titled “Responding to Russia in a Multi-Threat World”, was held on 4–5 March 2021. Due to global health regulations, the event was delivered in a successful hybrid format, connecting a studio in Tartu with over 700 participants worldwide.

The Conference was opened by the Commandant of the Baltic Defence College, BG Ilmar Tamm, followed by a keynote from former Estonian President, Professor Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who analysed the ideological foundations of Putinism. The Estonian Minister of Defence, Kalle Laanet, further emphasised the urgent necessity for a unified Western response to contemporary security challenges.

Across eight diverse panels, experts from Europe, Russia, and the United States debated topics ranging from Russian strategic aims and hostile narratives to the geopolitical implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable contributors included James Sherr, Kadri Liik, and Keir Giles, alongside senior military leaders and academic specialists.

A significant milestone for the 2021 conference was the inaugural publication of ‘The Russia Conference Papers’, featuring thematic research from experts across the Atlantic. Despite the logistical complexities of shifting restrictions, the event facilitated a safe and high-level exchange of ideas, reaffirming the College’s role as a vital forum for international security dialogue.