MEF-2016: Conference №3 Russia and the West: from confrontation to dialogue? (Geofield, Political, economical discourse)

Published: March 23rd, 2016

Lomonosov housing MSU


Organizer: Institute of Economics, RAS


On the theme:
We live in a very troubled time. Geopolitics has returned in its hideous guise. Relations between the West and Russia have cooled so that it is time to talk about the danger of a new edition of the "cold war." Sanctions, anti-sanctions, mutual threats. Reproaches and suspicion define our relationship, which until recently were cloudless.
At the conference, we will discuss the main question: is it possible to stop the mutual alienation, which poisons not only the atmosphere of our relations, but also undermines the economic cooperation.
Specialists and experts from Russia and foreign countries will discuss ways out of the deplorable situation try to make recommendations to persons and structures of political decisions


Moderator:
Ruslan Grinberg, Co-chairman of the Moscow Economic Forum, scientific director of the Institute of Economics


Among participants:
Axel Lebahn, Nikita Gnilozub, Andrei Klimov, Victor Kuvaldin, Tatiana Malahova, Philipp Pegorier, Svetlana Popova, Oleg Prozorov, Ivan Starikov, Boris Shmelev, Sergei Rogov, Alexander Rahr


March 23 in the framework of the Moscow Economic Forum (MEF) a conference «Russia and the West: from confrontation to dialogue? (Geofield, Political, economical discourse)» was held. Its moderator became Ruslan Grinberg, Co-chairman of the Moscow Economic Forum, scientific director of the Institute of Economics. The discussion was attended by chairman of the AEB in Russia Philip Pegorier, director of the Center for Economic Strategies Institute of Economics Ivan Starikov, a member of the coordinating council of the Russian-German society "Petersburg Dialogue" Alexander Rahr, a political scientist, scientific director of the Institute for US and Canadian Studies Sergei Rogov, director of the Center Russia's foreign policy at the Institute of Economics of RAS Boris Shmelev.

Introducing the discussion Ruslan Greenberg expressed concerns about the widespread attempts to accuse the West of overdue confrontation. A possible consequence of such sentiments - ignoring the arguments of the West, the rejection of compromise, justification of Russia's actions at your own risk. Academician expressed hope for reconciliation between the parties and the search for ways of cooperation.

Alexander Rahr stated his vision of Europe's position in relation to Russia, noting the attractiveness of the Russian market for Germany and interest in economic cooperation. At the same time, the political scientist speech sounded fears of Europe, associated with the formation of the Eurasian Union. According to the speaker, the West would prefer to build relationships with individual countries.

Publicist offered the audience to choose the most preferred of the possible scenarios: the weakening and gradual disintegration of the European Union, the European Union, managed by Washington and the European Union in its current form with the need to take into account the views of all the participating countries. The latter option, according to Rahr, Russia's most safe and for building a good-neighborly relations.

Continuing the presentation of the position of the Europeans, Philippe Pegorier noted that unresolved political issues exist not only in Russia but also in Europe. Their solution, as well as the established sanctions regime, may be delayed for an indefinite period. In this connection it is necessary to focus on finding ways to cooperate and build relationships in the existing conditions.

Sergei Rogov, scientific director of the Institute for US and Canadian Studies is sure that we are living in a situation of a new Cold War. Despite the absence of a conflict of ideologies and two world systems, all the same tools have being used: propaganda, economic confrontation, isolation policy, the arms race. Moreover, the aim of a new Cold War is to isolate Russia. Terms of the multi-polar world are added to the increasing confrontation set of uncontrollable factors. However, even in this situation, Russia and the United States have a common view on a number of issues such as the settlement of the issues in Syria, Iran, North Korea. In order to stabilize relations between the countries the regulation of the problems in Ukraine is needed and the agreements of arms control must be resumed.

Head of the Center for Economic Strategies Institute of Economics Ivan Starikov identified two major challenges for Russia today: growing geopolitical isolation of Russia and preservation of Russia as a single historical and political entity. According to him, the country's extinction can be prevented with a global project. The project of a highway "United Eurasia", presented by Academician, is able, according to the authors, to secure a more favorable position in the global economy for Russia and also contribute to the improvement of public institutions, as transparency of the judicial system, customs and other agencies will be a prerequisite for freight transportation through the territory of the country.

Ukrainian politician Petro Symonenko confirmed the assumption expressed by Philip Pegorier that Minsk agreement will not be met. "All the political fornication, which is today's political power will never end the implementation of the Minsk agreements," - he said. The head of the Communist Party of Ukraine cited figures illustrating the plight of the Ukrainian economy, and stressed that one of the main policy mistakes of the country in the last 25 years is a failure to cooperate with Russia.

Head of Russian Foreign Policy Centre at the Institute of Economics of RAS Boris Shmelev noted that Russia is unable to control the course of events in the post-Soviet space. Military capability, he said, can not serve as an effective tool of geopolitics in the XXI century. "Now for the strengthening of political positions it must be fought primarily by soft power. With the power of open methods is very difficult to do, and Russia in the field of soft power, unfortunately, it has a very limited capacity. As long as we do not solve our economic problems, her hope for success in this struggle is not necessary ", - concluded the academician.

Violent reactions of the audience aroused by the chief researcher of the Institute of Economics Academy of Sciences Alexander Tsipko. He emphasized that Russia will not be able to restore the economy without a full partnership with the West. The reason for this is that the Soviet economy was based in terms of the iron curtain, the censorship, the leading role of the Party and the full control of power. Recreating these conditions in the world today is contrary to common sense. Moreover, according to the academician, the alignment of anti-Western ideology would mean for Russia not only negation of the values of democracy, but also a failure to recognize the huge role of the West in formation of modern Russian culture, to deny that from a historical perspective is impossible. "Fighting with the West, we tend to forget that we are at war not only with common sense, we are at war with our own spiritual heritage," - concluded the scientist.

Discussion moderator Ruslan Grinberg supported the voiced idea of the need for cooperation with the West. He noted that the anti-Western sentiments in Russian society are largely due to a condescending tone of communication. The only way to avoid the latter and have a strong position in the dialogue with Europe and the United States is to develop the economy.

Summing up the discussion, the academician stressed the need to compromise and negotiate, because "without negotiability country can not survive." According to him, in the face of such a multinational country as Russia, this problem is difficult, but double.

Source: PR department of MEF

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