Is Russia Winning or Collapsing? The State of Country and its Society
Guests
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, exiled Russian businessman, oligarch, and opposition activist
Chaired by
Marta Prochwicz Jazowska, Deputy Head, Warsaw Office, Policy Fellow, ECFR
Despite unprecedented Western sanctions, Russia’s economy has shown surprising resilience, though recent data suggests this war-fueled growth may be reaching its limits—a crucial factor since analysts have long identified the economy as key to Russia’s ability to sustain its military campaign. Simultaneously, we’re witnessing escalating Russian hybrid activities against Western nations, from drone incursions into Poland and Romania to operations targeting other NATO members, while the return of Donald Trump introduces new uncertainties about American leadership and transatlantic responses to Russian aggression.
These developments force us to grapple with fundamental questions: What does Russia’s domestic situation tell us about the war’s trajectory, how should the West respond to these hybrid threats, and what might the future of West-Russia relations and European security architecture look like?
This panel takes place at the Warsaw Security Forum 2025.
