With the participation of distinguished members from three organizations honored last year with the Nobel Peace Prize, alongside top Spanish government officials, activists, and journalists, Madrid hosts a conference this week to examine critical questions about the war in Ukraine. The discussions focus on the reasons behind Europe’s current fragility and the mistakes that have contributed to its renewed exposure to conflict, challenging assumptions about long-standing security arrangements and prompting fresh reflection on regional resilience.
The event aims to catalyze momentum across the day, inviting civil society voices from Russia and supporting paths toward constructive change within the Eurasian landscape. The gathering is a joint effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission, and the Fundación Rafael del Pino. Its goal is to generate actionable ideas for political leaders and practical methods to address the most severe crisis European security has faced since the end of World War II.
Open mic sessions and private deliberations alike encourage participants to evaluate the efficacy of international sanctions, their influence on internal Russian policy debates, and the question of whether pursuing accountability for war crimes remains a priority. The discussions also explore potential shifts within Russian power structures and the various messages that the three European countries and the United States may need to hear. The aim is to bridge gaps in perception about regional realities, ensuring a more informed, shared approach to the crisis.
Kremlin aggression
A constant topic is Western hesitation in responding to the Kremlin leadership’s increasingly assertive posture since the early 2000s. The presence of journalists and activists from inside Russia at the Madrid event provides a more precise view of developments on the ground, helping outsiders understand the evolving situation in Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Experts and activists largely agree that Russia’s political transition after the USSR’s dissolution left gaps in governance and reform. Attendees stress that Russia today encompasses more than one dominant narrative; there is another Russia that deserves attention and support, both now and in the future. The shared outlook is to build paths toward stability across the European space once the current crisis subsides, so that the continent can recover and flourish in a durable, peaceful manner. The conversation also underscores the importance of sustained cooperation with diverse internal voices to shape a more resilient regional order. [Citation: Madrid conference organizers and participants]