{"id":50441,"date":"2022-11-07T17:52:35","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T16:52:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libmod.de\/?p=50441"},"modified":"2023-01-11T14:44:03","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T13:44:03","slug":"network-russia-vilnius-meeting-opening-ralf-fuecks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libmod.de\/en\/network-russia-vilnius-meeting-opening-ralf-fuecks\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cGetting Clear About Russia Is the Key for a Realistic Russia Policy\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cLietuvos Respub\u00adlikos Seimas\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=\u201d.vc_custom_1508251598805{margin-top: 30px !important;}\u201d][vc_column width=\u201c2\/3\u201d css=\u201d.vc_custom_1508252250311{padding-right: 20px !important;}\u201d][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Center for Liberal Moder\u00adnity\u2019s Expert Network Russia kicked off last week with a one-day meeting in Vilnius<\/a>. In his opening remarks, Ralf F\u00fccks reminded everyone why we need to Rethink Russia.
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dear Mrs Andrikien\u00e9, dear Zygmantas, Ladies & Gentlemen, dear friends,<\/p>\n

Good morning and welcome to all who are joining us today in Vilnius \u2014 and also to those who follow our meeting online. We are very happy to meet so many good friends and partners \u2014 and also some new partic\u00adi\u00adpants who are very welcome.<\/p>\n

This meeting is a contin\u00adu\u00adation of the confer\u00adences we have organized in Berlin in recent years under the title \u201cRussia and the West\u201d \u2014 among many other events, seminars and online discus\u00adsions dealing with domestic devel\u00adop\u00adments as well as Western policy towards Russia.[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=\u201cWatch on YouTube\u201d color=\u201cpeacoc\u201d size=\u201clg\u201d align=\u201ccenter\u201d button_block=\u201ctrue\u201d link=\u201curl:https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FVQLl7_aP2r0%3Ft%3D579|target:_blank\u201d][vc_column_text]At the same time, this gathering is a premiere: it is the start of a new project, expanding and deepening our inter\u00adna\u00adtional network of experts on Russia. In the future, we want to meet at least twice a year for a working conference, accom\u00adpanied by ad-hoc meetings on current events. We want to provide a platform for a continuous exchange of knowledge from different perspec\u00adtives and we invite all of you to actively take part in this project.<\/p>\n

In this way, we want to deepen the European and transat\u00adlantic discourse on Russia and contribute to the overdue reori\u00aden\u00adtation of the West\u2019s Russia policy. This should not remain a purely academic exercise: Our aim is to combine sound analysis with political recom\u00admen\u00adda\u00adtions for action addressed to our govern\u00adments and parliaments.<\/p>\n

At the same time, inter\u00adven\u00adtions in the public debate should also emerge from this circle, be it in the form of articles or joint statements.<\/p>\n

I guess that each of us feels that Russia\u2019s renewed attack on Ukraine marks a historic turning point. This war already has profound impli\u00adca\u00adtions for inter\u00adna\u00adtional relations far beyond Europe.<\/p>\n

At stake is not only the future of Ukraine, but the future of the inter\u00adna\u00adtional order: does inter\u00adna\u00adtional law still apply? We just held an inter\u00adna\u00adtional conference in Berlin which specif\u00adi\u00adcally addressed the question to which extent Russian warfare meets key criteria of the United Nations Genocide Convention \u2014 and there is little doubt that it does.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Ukraine is a litmus test if democ\u00adracies success\u00adfully can defend themselves against the challenge by author\u00adi\u00adtarian powers. The outcome will determine if the EU and NATO emerge stronger from this war or if they will plunge into a deep crisis.<\/p>\n

Every\u00adthing depends on whether the West summons the deter\u00admi\u00adnation to support Ukraine on such a massive scale that it can success\u00adfully defend its terri\u00adtorial integrity and political sover\u00adeignty. This effort has to include the constant supply of modern weapons of all kinds as well as financial assis\u00adtance and emergency aid to keep the Ukrainian energy system and public services running in spite of the large-scale Russian air strikes.<\/p>\n

This war is also key to Russia\u2019s future devel\u00adopment. Only a military defeat in Ukraine can open the way for a painful farewell to the demons of Russian imperi\u00adalism, Great Russia fantasies and unrestricted violence.<\/p>\n

Even those who had no illusions about the character of the Russian regime must rethink their image of Russia in view of the widespread support (or at least the indif\u00adference) towards this brutal war in the Russian society. This will also be a topic of our conference. Getting clear about Russia is the key for a realistic Russia policy.<\/p>\n

Before we enter into our first round of discus\u00adsions, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who have made this meeting possible, especially to:<\/p>\n

- The Lithuanian Parliament for its hospi\u00adtality and political support, namely our friend Zygimantas Pavil\u00adionis and his staff (thank you for constantly pushing us to come to Vilnius)<\/p>\n

- The Open Society Founda\u00adtions and the German Foreign Office for supporting this project;<\/p>\n

- Last but not least to our Russia Team, who prepared this conference, for their great job!<\/p>\n

I wish us all a productive conference with new insights and look forward to further cooperation.<\/p>\n

Thank you very much!<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/i><\/p>\n

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