Where is Russia Heading? 20 Years of Russian Analytical Digest

Where is Russia Heading? 20 Years of Russian Analytical Digest
November 3rd to 4th 2026

This conference, organised on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Russian Analytical Digest (RAD), brings together leading experts to discuss where Russia is heading. It examines key developments in Russian foreign and domestic policy, the economy, and society, with particular attention to the impact of the war against Ukraine and the forces shaping Russia’s future. It is organised by the Center for Eastern European Studies (CEES) at the University of Zurich in cooperation with the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich. 

Day 1, Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Venue: University of Zurich, room KOL-F-104

• 16:15-16:30: Welcome Addresses by Andreas Wenger (CSS ETH Zurich) & Jeronim Perović (CEES UZH)
• 16:30-16:45: Robert Orttung (Washington, DC) on the history of RAD
• 16:45-17:15: Keynote Address by Gudrun Persson (Stockholm), “Where is Russia Heading?”
• 17:15-18:45: Panel discussion and Q & A with Gudrun Persson (Stockholm), Mikhail Troitskiy (Boston) & Heiko Pleines (Bremen)

Please register in advance at: https://ema.uzh.ch/RUMRK

Day 2, Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Venue: University of Zurich, rooms RAA-G-01 and RAA-G-15

• Panel 1, 9:00-10:00: Foreign Policy & Ideology (room RAA-G-01)
• Panel 2, 10:00-11:00: Domestic Politics & Elites (room RAA-G-01)
• Panel 3, 11:30-12:30: Economy & Economic Policy (room RAA-G-01)
• Panel 4, 14:00-15:00: War & Society (room RAA-G-15)
• Panel 5, 15:00-16:00: The War and Russia’s Future (room RAA-G-15)

Please register in advance at: https://ema.uzh.ch/RUMRK

Flyer: Where is Russia Heading (PDF, 512 KB)Programme: Where is Russia Heading (PDF, 583 KB)