Discussants

• Steve Gutterman, Editor, Russia Desk and Author of "The Week in Russia", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
• Irina Lagunina, Russian Service Special Projects Director, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
• Kiryl Sukhotski, Executive Director for News, Current Time

Moderator

• Jonathan D. Katz, Senior Fellow, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Last autumn, Russian President Vladimir Putin suddenly began to reveal far-reaching plans for a future that could include the extension of his time in the Kremlin until 2036. Just as abruptly this spring, the coronavirus forced the postponement of a nationwide vote on that blueprint and the elaborate May 9 Victory Day celebrations meant to burnish his image domestically and internationally. The pandemic, along with the collapse in oil prices, has compounded economic problems that have significantly hurt Putin’s standing with Russians and cast a shadow on efforts to choreograph the coming years.

The German Marshall Fund and its Frontlines of Democracy Initiative, together with RFE/RL, invite you to join a discussion about the amplified challenges now facing Putin and the Kremlin and the potential consequences for Russia’s future. The talk will feature Steve Gutterman, the editor of RFE/RL’s Russia Desk and the author of "The Week In Russia" newsletter, as well as Irina Lagunina, the director of special projects for RFE/RL's Russian Service, and Kiryl Sukhotski, the executive editor for news at Current Time, the Russian-language network led by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America.

Due to concerns about the coronavirus and in order to enable a wider audience to participate in this discussion, we invite you to join us via webinar. You may register by clicking this link.

If you have any questions, please contact John Alexander at [email protected].