Russia’s political-strategic relationship with its major western neighbors

On Monday, 6 December, 2021, the Netherlands Atlantic Association organised a program with guest speaker Sergei Guriev (SciencePo) titled:

Russia’s political-strategic relationship with its major western neighbors

Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in 2014 has dramatically changed the security situation of Europe’s western ‘frontline states’. As of today these security challenges dominate the strategic discourse between Russia and its western neighbours. What are the perspectives of improvement in the relationship in the near future? How can the deadlock over Ukraine e.g. be best addressed? In this context, how does the interaction between domestic and foreign policies in Russia work in practice?  From an economic point of view e.g., how much longer can Russia afford to continue its current foreign policies?

Arnout Brouwers, who is a journalist at the foreign desk of the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, commented and added to Mr. Guriev’ s observations. Alex Krijger, vice-chairman of the Board of the Atlantic Association, moderated the discussion.

Photo: Flickr / brando

Sergei Guriev

Positions:

• 2013-present: Professor of Economics at Sciences Po (Paris)
• 2010-present: Center for Economic Policy Research (London)
  • 2010 – present: Research Fellow
  • 2019 – present: Leader of Research and Policy Network on Populism
• 2016-2019: Chief Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• 2004-2013: Rector at the New Economic School (Moscow)

Education:

• 1993-1994, 2002: Russian Academy of Sciences
  • 2002: Sc.D. (Doctor of Science) in Economics (habilitation degree)
  • 1993-1994: Ph.D. (Candidate of Science) in Physics and Math
• 1988-1993: Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
  • 1988-1993: Economics and Computer Science

Arnout Brouwers

Positions:

• 2003-present: Correspondent and Editor at Volkskrant
  • 2019-present: Diplomatic Correspondent
  • 2013-2019: Opinion Editor
  • 2006-2013: Foreign Correspondent, Moscow (Russia)
  • 2003-2006: Foreign Editor
• 1996-2000: Policy Advisor at Ministry of Defence (The Hague)
• 1995-1996: Staff Member and Author at Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR)

Education:

• 1993-1995: The Fletcher School at Tufts University (Massachusetts)
  • Security Studies, Human Rights, Conflict Management
• 1991-1992: Smith College (Massachusetts)
  • American Studies
• 1984-1990: University of Amsterdam
  • Modern History

Alex Krijger

Positions:

• 2017-present: Founder and Managing Partner of Krijger & Partners
• Geopolitical Risk Consultancy
• 2002-2017: Senior Government Relations Advisor at Royal Dutch Shell
• 1997-2002: International Secretary and Head of Political Department of CDA
• 1992-1997: Ministry of Defence
• 1994-1997: Head of Communication 43^rd Brigade and Researcher
• 1992-1994: Lieutenant Officer, Head of Communication 43^rd Brigade
• 1982-1985: Journalist/report TV and Radio at KRO-NCRV

Education:

• 2002-2016: IMD Business School (Lausanne, Switzerland and London, UK)
  • Business, Administration and Management
• 1986-1992: University of Leiden
  • 1986-1992: International Relations and Affairs (Master’s Degree)
  • 1986-1992: History, International Relations (Master’s Degree)

Watch the program here