Event Summary
MSC Conversation with Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev
On May 26, the Munich Security Conference hosted a virtual discussion with the Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federation Council and long-time Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Duma, Konstantin Kosachev. Moderated by Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, high-level decision-makers from Europe, Russia, and the United States exchanged their views on current challenges and prospects for the relationship between Russia and the West.
Titled "Relations between Russia and the West: A Perspective from Moscow", the Munich Security Conference (MSC) hosted a high-level digital conversation on May 26, 2021. The discussion was part of the series "Beyond Westlessness: Road to Munich" that prepares the ground for the next Munich Security Conference in 2022 with several events and formats. The series wants to examine how the state of "Westlessness", which was at the center of the discussion at the Munich Security Conference 2020, can be overcome. The opening event of the series, the MSC Special Edition, illustrated that there is a strong new transatlantic momentum. The MSC seeks to contribute to translating this momentum into concrete initiatives. This also includes developing joint transatlantic approaches towards China and Russia. The MSC-event with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on May 25, which dealt with the Sino-Western relations, was now followed by a confidential discussion with the Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, which addressed the status and prospects of the relationship between Russia and the West.
Konstantin Kosachev opened the panel with a statement, in which he presented the Russian view of the relations with the West. His input was then followed by a confidential discussion between high-ranking representatives from governments and international organizations as well as from business and science from Europe, Russia, and the United States. The conversation was moderated by Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the MSC. While the perception of the participants significantly differed with regard to the reasons for the tensions between Russia and the West, there was a strong agreement on the need for continuing dialogue.
MSC Conversations
MSC Conversations are small, confidential meetings featuring a high-level speaker and a selected group of participants, including senior experts, thinkers, and decision-makers. MSC Conversations are typically held under Chatham House rule, but selected events can be open to the public.
