Andrei Illarionov
Andrei Illarionov is a Senior Fellow of the Center for Security Policy. He is the former chief economic advisor to both Russian Prime-Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin (1993-1994) and President Vladimir Putin (2000-2005). Furthermore, he was the founder and director of the Institute of Economic Analysis, as well as a senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity from 2006 to 2021. His main interests concern Russian economic and social policies, on which he published several books and articles.
Thursday March, 3
Panel II: Are Russia and China Encroaching on Europe?
A pragmatic economic partner or an adversary? Both labels have been applied to Russia and China, and such debates have strained Euro-Atlantic solidarity. Before the invasion of Ukraine, Russia and China had been getting closer. What are the defining characteristics of these Sino-Russian relations, and what does this imply for the future of Europe? Is this a marriage of convenience, or are there deeper motives at work? How will the current war in Ukraine change these dynamics? This panel will discuss these topics and more.
Friday March, 4
Panel V: Putin Looks Into Biden’s Eyes: What Does He See There
President Biden of the United States stated that he once looked into President Putin's eyes and saw no soul behind them. What, on the other hand, did Putin see when he returned Biden's gaze? One year into Biden's presidency, US-Russian relations are possibly at their lowest point since the Cold War's end. How can these mutual perceptions – both personal and international – be used to comprehend the current tensions between the two powers and the Kremlin’s decision to invade Ukraine? How has Russia's assessment of political will and unity in Washington influenced their current geopolitical strategy? This panel will address these issues and more.
Moderator: Dr. Asta Maskaliūnaitė, Director, Department of Political Studies, Baltic Defence College