On 2-3 March 2023, the Baltic Defence College hosted its 9th Annual Conference on Russia, titled “Russia’s Futures.” The event solidified its status as a premier international forum for regional security dialogue.

The 2023 iteration was an extraordinary success, returning to a fully in-person format for all thirty-five speakers and moderators. Keynoted by Mr Pål Jonson, the Swedish Minister of Defence, the conference addressed the rapidly shifting European security landscape and emphasised the importance of the Nordic-Baltic strategic axis.

The programme featured six specialised panels and a high-level “Night Owl” session, covering critical themes from NATO’s strategic direction to Russia’s military resurgence and digital influence operations. The discussions provided deep insights into the internal and external drivers of the Russian regime’s actions.

Attracting over 300 on-site participants and 250 online viewers, the conference brought together a diverse group of policymakers, military personnel, and academics. It fostered a dynamic environment for assessing Russia’s trajectory towards a stable or volatile future, with a specific focus on the security priorities of the Baltic Sea region and Ukraine.