“Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine and Expansion into Central Asia: Challenges for the Caucasus, the Baltic States, and the European Union”
📅 Date: May 13, 2025
⏰ Time: 09:30 – 16:00
📍 Venue: Totorių g. 23, LT-01120, Vilnius, Lithuania
Artis Centrum Hotels
Organizer: Foundation for the Defense of Democracy in Central Asia
Simultaneous Interpretation: English – Russian
About the Conference:
Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine has had profound consequences not only for Eastern Europe but also for the broader post-Soviet region, particularly Central Asia. This conference will convene policymakers, security experts, civil society leaders, and academics to analyze the evolving threats posed by Russia’s expansionist policies and to propose coordinated strategies to address them.
Participants will examine the dynamics of hybrid warfare, the erosion of democratic institutions, and the rise of authoritarianism fueled by Russian influence across Central Asia. Particular attention will be devoted to the geopolitical risks confronting the Caucasus, the Baltic States, and the European Union, as Russia seeks to consolidate control over strategic resources and critical infrastructure.
Key Topics of Discussion:
🔹 Russian Strategy: Hybrid warfare, economic coercion, the entrenchment of authoritarianism in Central Asia, political repression of civil society, the undermining of state sovereignty, the dismantling of democratic institutions, mass killings, arbitrary detentions, and systematic human rights violations.
🔹 Geopolitical Consequences of Russian Aggression Against Ukraine: The impact of Russian expansionism on Central Asia and the resulting threats to the Caucasus, the Baltic States, and the EU, including the seizure of strategically vital resources—such as oil, gas, uranium, and rare earth elements—and the domination of key transportation corridors, thereby increasing Russia’s leverage over Europe and the post-Soviet space.
🔹 International Mechanisms to Contain Russian Expansion: Strategies for enhancing regional security, including the imposition of targeted sanctions, countering hybrid threats, strengthening the defense capabilities of allies, and supporting democratic institutions and civil society to safeguard sovereignty and prevent the spread of authoritarianism.
🎬 Premiere Screening:
“Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine and Its Impact on Central Asia” (Documentary Film)
Registration:
Participation is possible by prior registration no later than 09:00 on 13 May 2025.
To confirm your attendance, please contact us at:
E-mail: [email protected]
We look forward to your participation in this important dialogue on safeguarding regional and global security against expansionist threats.