Albright Stage | The Future of Russia

While Russia continues to present itself as a global power, the pressures generated by the prolonged war against Ukraine, sanctions, and shifting internal political dynamics are beginning to test the resilience of its socioeconomic and political system. Beneath the appearance of stability, questions are emerging about the balance of power among security services, political elites, and economic actors, as well as about the long-term sustainability of the current governance model. As the war continues to reshape Russia’s domestic and strategic environment, the key question is not only how the system adapts, but how durable it ultimately proves to be. Recent geopolitical developments have also highlighted that Russia’s external influence may be changing its contours. A response largely limited to diplomatic backing and political support following U.S. strikes on Venezuela and Iran underscores the gap between Russia’s global ambitions and the practical limits of its power projection. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Founder, Russian Anti-War Committee & New Eurasian Strategies Centre Roland Freudenstein, Co-Founder, Brussels Freedom Hub