Progressive Thinking for A Global Age
The Foreign Policy Centre's Future of Russia programme was launched in November 2004 to raise awareness of the recent reversal of hard-won democratic rights and freedoms in Russia. It aims to revitalise the question of Russia's democratic governance as one of the most pressing foreign policy issues facing Europe today, and to explore the role that Western governments, and particularly the UK, can play in promoting the protection of democracy in Russia.
Through its lively programme of events, the programme creates an effective platform for leading policy-makers, experts and opinion-formers to debate the issues at stake. The Russo-British forum organised by the FPC in February 2005 gathered British and Russian parliamentarians from across the political spectrum for a weekend retreat to exchange views and perspectives on political trends in their countries. In March 2005 the FPC also held a major international conference assessing President Putin's five years in power.
The Future of Russia project has received the support of a number of well-respected organisations as well as of high-level opinion makers in Russia, Europe and the US.
For more information about the Future of Russia project please see http://fpc.org.uk/research/24
"The shrinking of democratic space in Russia during the past five years has been marked. It is now time we in Britain and in Europe examined the policies needed the engage Russia in finding a path to modernisation of a democratic rather than an authoritarian character", Robin Cook MP, former Foreign Secretary
Contact: Stephen Twigg, stephen.twigg@fpc.org.uk
Please also support the activities of some of our partner organisations by visiting their websites:
The EU-Russia Centre: http://www.eu-russiacentre.org
The Institute for Contemporary Economic Research: http://www.icer.ru/
The Centre for Journalism in Extreme Situations: http://www.cjes.ru/
The New Eurasia Foundation: http://www.neweurasia.ru/
Russia in the Spotlight27th January 2006
The Foreign Policy Centre is pleased to announce the launch of 'Russia in the Spotlight: G8 Scorecard'.
US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice recently described the G8 as "a group of democracies… fully committed to free market principles, free trade, rule of law." But are those still its core values? If so, should Russia be a member of the club?
Download the full press release (30 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
Manic depressives in Russian politics23rd January 2006
Russian spy allegations - the work of manic depressives
ANDREI PIONTKOVSKY, Director of the Center for Strategic Research in Moscow, speaking at the launch of a pamphlet (East or West? Russia's Identity Crisis in Foreign Policy) published today (24 January) by the Foreign Policy Centre said, in response to the allegations of Britain funding NGOs to spy on the Russian state:
"Never before has a diagnosis of collective manic depression in the Russian political class been so methodically demonstrated."
Download the full press release (30 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
Russia talks must tackle climate change4 October 2005
"Blair must use talks with Russia to bring about real progress on climate change" – Twigg
STEPHEN TWIGG, Director of the Foreign Policy Centre, today said:
"At Gleneagles, G8 leaders agreed to act with resolve and urgency on global warming, but much more progress can and should be made. The bilateral talks between Tony Blair and President Putin are a real opportunity to widen Moscow's focus beyond security of energy supplies to the truly global issue of climate change."
Download Russia talks must tackle climate change (20 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
The need to be open-minded about Russia's approachesBy Pavel Miller.
The past year has seen more disputes between Russia and the West than at any other time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. From the Kosovo crisis to Iran's nuclear ambitions, it has been extremely difficult to achieve a consensus over the most pressing global challenges. In recent months, tension increased over NATO expansion into former Soviet territory, failure to agree on sanctions directed at Zimbabwe and U.S. plans for anti-missile defence bases in Eastern Europe. Despite disappointment over the failure of both sides to see eye-to-eye regarding these matters, the frustrations over Russia's apparent 'assertiveness' should not translate into a rejection of her role in global affairs. In order to overcome the disagreements, negotiation must prevail through comprehension of Russia's perspective, as opposed to the confrontational rhetoric and calls for punitive measures endorsed by Senator John McCain.
Russia's turnBy Jennifer Moll. Source: International Herald Tribune, 20 April
There is little doubt that Putin's government is in an unenviable position of having to find a way to reassert the authority of the weak and corrupt Russian state.
It does not follow, however, that Europe should stand back and watch as Putin centralizes power and damages the prospects for Russia's democratic and economic development. It is precisely because Russia is the West's "strategic partner" that we must take an active interest in its fate.
East or West? Russia's Identity Crisis in Foreign Policy![[Cover of East or West? Russia's Identity Crisis in Foreign Policy]](/fsblob/682.jpg)
Andrei Piontkovsky
January 2006 £9.95, plus £1 p+p.
Download East or West? (190 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
The break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a geopolitical earthquake that redrew the map of Europe and Central Asia. In his state-of-the-nation address, in April 2005, Russia's President Vladimir Putin went so far as to describe it as the 'biggest geopolitical catastrophe of the twentieth century'. His declaration caused a stir among the world's political scientists, sociologists, economists and even philosophers. Yet the full import of his words was lost on much of his foreign audience. 'For the Russian people', Putin continued, the collapse of the Soviet Union 'became a real drama'.
Blueprint for Russia![[Cover of Blueprint for Russia]](/fsblob/559.jpg)
August 2005 £4.95, plus £1 p+p.
Download Blueprint for Russia (250 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
This FPC publication explores political change in Russia. It is now available for purchase and will be launched at the FPC's Fringe Event at the Labour Party Conference.
Utilising each author's expertise, this pamphlet compiles a broad range of opinions to outline a Blueprint for Russia. The contributions focus on political change in Russia as it relates to the three key policy areas of law, the economy and political pluralism.
Putin and the Press: Revival of Soviet Style Propaganda![[Cover of Putin and the Press: Revival of Soviet Style Propaganda]](/fsblob/494.jpg)
Oleg Panfilov
2 June 2005
Download the report (160 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
The re-emergence of the traditions of Soviet propaganda since 2000 represents a new era for the Russian media and domestic policy. This development has been facilitated by the dominance of Soviet-era journalists: up to 70 per cent of those currently working in the mass media in Russia were Soviet educated or employed by the Soviet media, where propaganda and counter-propaganda were considered an important part of state ideology.
Spotlight on RussiaDate: Wednesday 14th May 2008, 9.30-3.30pm
Speakers included:
Taking place only days after Dimitry Medvedev formally took over as President of the Russian Federation, this Chechnya Peace Forum and Foreign Policy Centre event focused on what is happening in Russia today, with sessions on democracy and politics, civil liberties and the rule of law, Russian policy in Chechnya and the Caucasus and Russian influence on the world stage.
Download the full programme at: http://www.chechnyapeaceforum.com/upload/home_text_13.pdf
Download the Invitation (50 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
The Future of Russia and the Caucasus – Putin and BeyondDate: Friday 29 February 2008, 12.30pm to 2pm
Venue: Vault 1, Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ.
Hosted by the Chechnya Peace Forum and the Foreign Policy Centre, this event provided an opportunity for policy-makers, commentators and analysts to discuss political, social and economic developments in Russia and the Caucasus ahead of the Russian Presidential election in March.
Speakers leading the discussion included:
To find out more about the work of the Chechnya Peace Forum please visit www.chechnyapeaceforum.com.
Labour Party Conference Manchester 2006The Labour Party Conference in Manchester is set to run from Sunday 24th until Thursday 28th September. The FPC will be holding a number of events inside the secure zone of Labour Party Conference.
If you would like to know more, please contact us on 020 7729 7566 or email Diane Fisher on diane.fisher[at]fpc.org.uk.
To download the events programme, please click here:
Download FPC Fringe Events at Labour Conference 2006 (110 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
Labour Party Fringe 2006EU-Russia Centre
The first fringe meeting of the FPC's busy conference programme at Labour's 2006 Conference in Manchester was on Russia and the EU.
The seminar 'Russia and the EU: Can Partnership Work?' examined the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement, democracy, civil liberties and human rights in Russia. Other key issues discussed included the implications for Russia of the accession of NATO and EU enlargements, as well as energy issues.
Around 50 delegates attended the event which was sponsored by the EU-Russia Centre.
Download A report of the meeting (190 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
Liberal Democrat Fringe 2006EU-Russia Centre
The Foreign Policy Centre hosted a fringe meeting at Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton on 18th September.
The seminar, "Russian Democracy: The Way Forward," discussed democracy, civil liberties and human rights in Russia.
A total of 57 attendees participated at the lively and informative event which was sponsored by the EU-Russia Centre.
Download A report of the meeting (210 kilobyte PDF; need help viewing PDFs?)
Dictatorship or Reform: the Rule of Law in RussiaFPC and the EU-Russia Centre
Date: Wednesday 21 June 2006, 6.00-7.30 p.m.
Venue: Grimond Room, Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament, London, SW1A 0AA
The Foreign Policy Centre launched the publication of "Dictatorship or Reform: the Rule of Law in Russia", a collection of essays by international experts in the field, including Alena Ledeneva and Mary McAuley.
Rule of law is a cornerstone of democracy and essential to a well-functioning market economy that protects individual human rights. Yet it is ironic that in the six years since he pledged to uphold democracy in Russia as a "dictatorship of the law", President Putin has increased the role of the federal security service in governing Russia and arbitrarily wielded the power of state institutions such as the courts, the tax inspectors, and the police for political ends.
The trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky was widely perceived as politically motivated, and allegations of prosecutorial misconduct raise questions about judicial independence and selective application of investment and tax laws. Similarly, a series of cases of alleged espionage has led to concerns regarding the lack of due process and the influence of the security services in judicial proceedings. Yet instead of insisting that Russia uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental human rights, EU governments have failed to exert the necessary pressure.
It is therefore a matter of urgency that Russia respects judicial independence and abides by the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights and other international agreements such as the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Russia.
Among those speaking were:
Dr Alena Ledeneva, School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies (SSEES), UCL
Edward Lucas, The Economist (Chair)
Andrew Jack, Financial Times
Ken Purchase MP