- June 17, 2026
- , 19:00
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- June 17, 2026
- , 22:00
The Summer Reception of the Aspen Institute Germany is one of the Institute’s annual highlights, bringing together partners, members of the Aspen community, and leading voices from politics, academia, and civil society. This year’s high-level discussion will take a closer look inside Russia: What motivates the Kremlin’s course? How is the war against Ukraine reshaping Russia’s political system, economy, and society? And what does that mean for Europe’s security?
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marked a turning point for European security. The war reflects not only immediate geopolitical calculations but also a broader pattern of Russian revisionism and imperial ambition aimed at reasserting influence over the post-Soviet space and challenging the European security order established after the Cold War. Through military aggression, territorial claims, and confrontational rhetoric toward the West, Moscow has sought to redefine its role in the region and reshape the balance of power in Europe.
The war has simultaneously transformed Russia internally. The conflict has accelerated the consolidation of political power, strengthened the role of the security apparatus, and intensified state control over the economy and public discourse. Wartime mobilization, international sanctions, and growing economic isolation are reshaping Russia’s political system, economic structures, and social dynamics, with long-term consequences for the country’s development and stability.
These internal developments directly affect Russia’s relationship with Europe and the broader West. Political dialogue between Russia and the European Union has largely collapsed, economic ties have been significantly reduced, and Germany’s long-standing approach toward Russia has undergone a profound reassessment. Europe has to confront the strategic reality of a large, nuclear-armed neighbor whose internal trajectory and geopolitical ambitions will shape the continent’s security environment for years to come.
This event will examine Russia’s current trajectory from these interconnected perspectives: the strategic motivations behind its war against Ukraine, the political and societal transformations taking place inside the country, and the implications for future relations between Russia, Germany, and the wider West.
Guests will have the opportunity to actively join the discussion and engage with the speakers. Following the discussion, we will continue the exchange and enjoy the early summer evening together in the courtyard of the Mendelssohn-Remise.
