by Forum Staff
What does the conflict in Ukraine mean for Eastern European regional politics and for U.S.-Russia relations? The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy convened experts to provide perspectives from Ukraine, the U.S., and the Russian opposition on the conflict in Ukraine, and Russia’s turbulent international relations with the West. The panel, sponsored by Post-Soviet Nations Club, was held at The Fletcher School on November 24, 2014. Drawing from insights into both public and political opinion in Ukraine and Russia, the panelists offer a sobering interpretation of the future of Ukraine and further estrangement between the U.S. and Russia.
Panelists included:
Sergei Konoplyov, Director of the Black Sea Regional Security Program and U.S.-Russia Security Program at Harvard University. Mr. Konoplyov previously served as the Acting Director of the Eurasia Foundation for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova and as security advisor to the Ukrainian parliament. He also served as an officer in the Soviet Armed Forces.
Robert Legvold, Marshall D. Shulman Professor Emeritus of Post-Soviet Foreign Policy at Columbia University. Dr. Legvold previously served as the Director of the Harriman Institute at Columbia University and as Senior Fellow and Director of the Soviet Studies Project at the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Legvold received his PhD from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1967.
Ilya Ponomarev, the only member of the Russian State Duma to vote against the annexation of Crimea and a key figure in the Russian opposition. A technology entrepreneur, Mr. Ponomarev is a frequent critic of the Putin government.