The Russia Conference Papers 2021

Front matter

Chief Editor: Dr Sandis Sraders Editor: Dr Viljar Veebel

Papers

Tartu, Estonia

Foreword

Brigadier General Ilmar TAMM, Commandant of the Baltic Defence College

The security of a state is the key to its wealth, stability, and welfare. As per the words of former Estonian President Lennart Meri during the College's inaugural ceremony on 25" of February 1999,

“Security is precious, and there is never too much of it. Security is an indivisible wealth, and it must be cultivated in the spirit of close regional concord. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have the task to ensure, to the best of their ability, the security of the Baltic region, which is a necessary precondition to stability in Europe?

All three Baltic states historical path reverted to freedom and independence just a little more than 30 years ago. With the support of Allies, fostering regional security has been the top priority of the Baltic Defence College for more than 20 years. Our College delivers professional military education to senior staff officers and civil servants. The College’s core task is to invest in human capital to ensure peace dividends for future generations and the shared security of the Baltic sea region.

For more than two decades since the inauguration, the civilian and military leadership of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and our partners have continuously recognized the importance and quality of our work. One of the most prominent flagship educational events of the College is our annual Conference on Russia. This international and renowned project commenced in 2014 and has been primarily aimed at our military and civilian students but also the broader community - civilian and military security experts, academics, media, and think tanks, and policy makers. The purpose of our Conferences is to focus on and study Russia, from within and without, especially concerning the Baltic, European, and transatlantic perspectives.

This year, we are proud to release the Conference’s papers to unveil how both the international community and Russians see the Russian Federation as apart or a part of the world order. We are questioning if Russia is a tentative partner or a strategic challenge for the West, or is it a historical phenomenon that cannot separate itself from the demons of the past? Moreover, the publication allows us to better understand if and how to

6 ILMAR TAMM accommodate Russia or just let Russia be Russia. Together with the 7™ Annual Conference on Russia 2021, this publication and its authors offer an invaluable contribution to debates on Russia.

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Tartu, 04 March 2021.

Table of Contents

Sandis ŠRĀDERS, Zdzisław ŚLIWA lntrodüctioNssasie re n e a a a aeieea aT AS

|. From the Heart of Europe

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