On 6-7 March 2025, the 11th Annual Conference on Russia took place in the V SPA Conference Centre. The subtitle of the conference this year was: “Strategic Pathways to Ending the Russo-Ukrainian War.”

The conference aimed to study and analyse Russia in the context of its aggression against Ukraine and its growing confrontation with Western countries. The ultimate goal was to design and debate options to end this conflict in a manner favoured by the West and Ukraine. Russia’s aggression triggered significant geostrategic shifts that were crucial in characterising its current geopolitical stance.

Discussions explored various strategies for resolving the conflict and examined lessons learned from Russia’s aggression, including the management of a war economy and advancements in military technology. Panel sessions addressed traditional topics such as war propaganda and the potential for democratic change in Russia driven by war losses.

The objectives were achieved by convening representatives from a diverse array of regions, including the Baltic and Nordic countries, France, Germany, the UK, the Middle East, and East Asia. This ensured a balanced representation of military, political, and academic experts, providing a comprehensive understanding of Russia’s offensive actions and future aspirations.