Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there have been efforts by the Russian diaspora to develop a plan for a future-Russia after Putin. While there have been meetings to discuss ideas and develop a united front, much more needs to be done.

 Through interviews with diaspora opposition groups, this report highlights similarities and differences in the thinking of these groups for a post-Putin Russia. The report finds that there are similarities in issues which can form the base for closer cooperation towards developing a set of common principles and eventually a full plan for a democratic future-Russia.

 Western states can provide much-needed motivation, support, and incentives to help the opposition-in-exile develop a coherent plan for a democratic future-Russia. This report sets out several avenues that Western states can take to support these efforts and the incentives and punishments that can be used to bring the disparate organisations together to develop a coherent – and agreed – plan for a democratic future-Russia.

The Henry Jackson Society is pleased to invite you to this fascinating discussion to explore the findings of the report.

Dr Stephen G F Hall is an Associate Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society. He is a specialist on Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Central Asia, and the South Caucasus and on authoritarian regions. He received his PhD from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, UCL and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Cambridge. He has published extensively in Europe-Asia Studies, Problems of Post-Communism, East European Politics, Post-Communist Economies, Russian Politics, and the Journal of Eurasian Studies.

His book entitled The Authoritarian International: Tracing how Authoritarian Regimes Learn in the Post-Soviet Space came out in 2023 with Cambridge University Press. In the past, Stephen taught at the Higher School of Economics – National Research University, St. Petersburg. Stephen speaks English and Russian and is trying to get better at Ukrainian.

Follow Stephen on Twitter @stephengfhall
or on his personal website: https://www.sgfhall.co.uk/

Ksenia Maximova is a Russian-British activist and the founder of the Russian Democratic Society UK (RDS). In the United Kingdom, RDS has achieved recognition for its efforts in organizing rallies that bring together dissidents and members of the Russian opposition. In addition to its protest activities, RDS has contributed to humanitarian initiatives, notably raising funds to donate generators to Ukraine in order to alleviate the electricity shortages resulting from the ongoing conflict.

Ksenia is also the founder of the Antiwar Human Rights Coalition, an informal umbrella organization encompassing groups such as Memorial, Kovcheg, various evacuation organizations, shelters, and diaspora organizations that advocate for humanitarian visas and temporary travel documents. The Coalition aims to streamline the evacuation and integration processes for politically persecuted Russians who face imprisonment in their home country.

Furthermore, Ksenia is a member of the Antiwar Committee founded by Mikhail Khodorkovsky.

Copyright: Diego Figone Sambuceti

Andrei Soldatov is a Russian investigative journalist, co-founder, and editor of Agentura.ru, a watchdog of the Russian secret services’ activities. He is co-author with Irina Borogan of The New Nobility. The Restoration of Russia’s Security State and the Enduring Legacy of the KGB (PublicAffairs, 2010), The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia’s Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries (PublicAffairs, 2015) and The Compatriots: The Brutal and Chaotic History of Russia’s Exiles, Émigrés, and Agents Abroad (PublicAffairs, 2019).

Andrei Soldatov is a senior fellow with the Center of European Policy Analysis in D.C. and a visiting fellow at King’s Centre for the Study of Intelligence.

***

EVENT SUMMARY

The Henry Jackson Society was pleased to welcome Dr Stephen G. F. Hall, Ksenia Maximova and Andrei Soldatov for a fascinating discussion based on Dr Stephen G. F. Hall’s report ‘Linking Forces: A Step towards Future-Russia?’. Speakers discussed strategies for uniting opposition groups, collaborating with Western institutions and the potential for a democratic Russia within its current borders. Dr Stephen G. F. Hall placed emphasis on the need for a unified opposition plan and addressing non-political issues to gather support without endangering individuals. Proposals included the creation of a “University in Exile” for training future leaders and developing a communication strategy for outreach within the diaspora, to Western governments, and eventually within Russia. Dr Stephen G. F. Hall’s proposal of a British Commissioner to guide the development of plan for future Russia sparked an interesting debate with Andrei Soldatov, who called for caution to avoid interference. Speakers underscored the importance of unity among anti-war organisations, with Ksenia Maximova highlighting the need for a cautious approach when working with Russians in the country to avoid further repression, drawing lessons from historical events to inform current strategies.

This event can be watched both IN-PERSON and ONLINE.

To register your interest to attend IN-PERSON please submit your details in the form below:

#HJSEvents