Research Seminar with Fyodor Lukyanov and Marlene Laruelle

The Department of International Relations together with the International Laboratory on World Order and the New Regionalism and the Bulgarian Club conducted a seminar on the topic “Russia and the West in a Time of Uncertainty?” on Tuesday November 29, 2022 (18:00 MSK), with the participation of Marlene Laruelle, Ph.D., a research-professor at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University and Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor-in-chief of the journal “Russia in Global Affairs”, Chairman of the Presidium of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy of Russia, research-professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

Prof. Laurelle started off the discussion with a critical view of the conflict between the West and Russia, detailing the evolving concept of the recent events on both sides of the dispute. She continued with the Russian strategy, involving the increasing role of Global South and the emerging regional powers. Prof. Laurelle talked about the present limited character of diplomacy. A crucial point she made was about the internal differences among the Western states on the situation in Ukraine.

The conversation carried on with prof. Lukyanov, who examined the reasons for today’s outcomes. He acknowledged the accumulated tensions and contradictions since the end of the Cold War as one of the most important explanations. He highlighted the relationship between Russia and Europe throughout the years and talked about the shifting focus of their foreign affairs.

The seminar resumed with a Q&A section where the audience were given the opportunity to ask questions to the respectful presenters. Both lecturers answered questions related to the future of the global order and the reaction of the society.