Russia is nowadays among the top ten countries worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Prices of oil and gas, whose sales represent a bulk of revenues for Russia, are plummeting. Plans to modify the Russian Constitution (as well as the Moscow Victory Day parade) had to be postponed. Undoubtedly, all of this is already having a profound impact not only on the domestic situation within Russia but also on the international situation, where Russia wants to play a leading global role.

What should we expect to happen in Russia both in political and economic terms? What could be the scenarios of domestic development within Russia? Will Russia now be more willing to play a constructive role at the global level? What might be Russia’s place among global players like the US, EU, or China?

The European Values Center for Security Policy, in partnership with the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, brings together Minister Pavlo Klimkin, director, European, Regional and Russian Studies, Ukrainian Institute for the Future; former Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Ambassador John Herbst, director, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council, Egor Kuroptev, director, Free Russia Foundation, and  Rebecca Harms, former member of the European Parliament, The Greens/European Free Alliance. This discussion is moderated by David Stulík, senior analyst, Kremlin Watch Program, European Values Center for Security Policy.

The Kremlin and coronavirus

Despite recording some of the first cases outside of China in early 2020, Russia reported unusually low incidents of coronavirus while those in other regions climbed rapidly. However, in recent days the number of cases in the country has grown rapidly, leading to questions of honesty about initial government reports as well as how equipped Russia’s government and health systems are prepared to deal with a major outbreak. This is in addition to the Kremlin’s exploitation of the virus to spread disinformation, burnish its image abroad, and enlarge political control at home.

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The Russian economy in health, oil, and economic crisis

Russia’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic and the ensuing economic crisis does not impress. Arguably, it has hardly been worse than the average EU response—except for the Central European countries, where the pandemic arrived late and who protected themselves much better. The Russian authorities’ attempts to deny and conceal the epidemic have undermined popular trust in Putin, which is lower than ever. Nor have the authorities shown any sign of restart long dormant reforms.

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Article Mar 24, 2020

Six reasons the Kremlin spreads disinformation about the coronavirus

By Jakub Kalenský

Fabrications about COVID-19’s origins are meant to stir up anti-U.S. sentiment and fuel discord.

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New Atlanticist Mar 27, 2020

Russia orders tech platforms to remove coronavirus “fake news”

By Justin Sherman

The Russian government has been actively engaged in spreading disinformation and misinformation around the pandemic. The Kremlin has also been active in ordering internet platforms operating in the country to remove coronavirus “fake news” from their platforms, which follows previous Kremlin efforts to crack down on independent internet sites offering legitimate news.

Coronavirus Disinformation

Public Event Fri, April 3, 2020 • 10:00 am ET

How Russia is handling coronavirus

As the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold across the globe, questions are increasingly being asked about the veracity of official Russian infection statistics and response. What will the pandemic mean for Putin’s policies at home and abroad?

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Staff

John E. Herbst

Senior Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Politics & Diplomacy

Former fellow

Jakub Kalenský

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Central Europe Disinformation

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The Eurasia Center’s mission is to promote policies that strengthen stability, democratic values, and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe in the West to the Caucasus, Russia, and Central Asia in the East.

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