“As Long as Putin Is in Power, There Is No Security With Russia, Only Against It”
During an Inspiring Roundtable last week, we discussed the West’s future Russia policy on the basis of four key countries’ approach — Poland, France, Germany and the US. Some short takeaways:
1) A Russian defeat in Ukraine is key for the future European security order and the condition for any new beginning with Russia. The West urgently needs to agree on the outcome of this war and provide Ukraine the military and financial assistance to win.
2) Strengthening Ukraine and Russia’s European neighbourhood is the best insurance for peace and security in Europe. It is also the most effective lever to influence developments in Russia for the better. Any future European security order must include Ukraine.
3) As long as the current regime and its revanchist policies are in power, there is no security with Russia, but only security against it. Containment and deterrence plus support for the democratic opposition are the coordinates of our future Russia policy until further notice.
4) We cannot spare Russia the farewell to empire. Without transformation into a nation state with defined borders, there can be no sustainable peace in Europe. To break the imperial nostalgia, the shock of defeat in Ukraine is needed.
5) The West must confront Russia from a position of strength. Every signal of weakness is understood as an invitation to cross the next border. This is above all a lesson for German politics.
The roundtable was held in the framework of the project International Expert Network Russia, which is supported by the German Foreign Ministry. The papers discussed can be accessed here.
The discussion was held under Chatham House Rules.
