Perpetual Conflict: Russia and the Struggle for European Security : The Conference on Russia Papers 2026

Abstract

The 2026 edition of the BALTDEFCOL’s Conference on Russia Papers examines the structural confrontation between Russia and Europe and its implications for the continent’s political order and capacity for strategic action. Five years into the war against Ukraine, the volume situates the conflict within a broader contest over norms, agency, and the future of the European security architecture. Contributions from scholars and practitioners assess the nature of the Russia’s ambitions and strategies and the consequences of its military, hybrid, and legal instruments for European and transatlantic security. Structured around three thematic sections on European agency and resilience, Russian strategy and statecraft, and the operational and secondary consequences of the war against Ukraine, the collection offers an analytical framework for evaluating Russia’s ambitions and Europe’s policy options, underscoring the continued relevance of credible deterrence and sustained strategic foresight.