A conversation with:
Andrei Illarionov 
Senior Fellow, Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity 
Cato Institute

Moderated by:
John Herbst
Director, Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center
Atlantic Council

Russia’s annexation of Crimea last year and continued aggression in Ukraine’s east has left many speculating about the end goals of Mr. Putin’s war. It is unclear whether the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine is the result of long-term strategic planning or a spontaneous response to the Euromaidan protests that toppled a pro-Russian regime in Kyiv. Today, with a fragile ceasefire holding in the Donbas, a new Russian offensive in Ukraine is once again on the table.

Dr. Illiarionov, a former economic adviser to Mr. Putin and Kremlin insider, resigned from his post as presidential adviser in 2005. The reasons for his resignation were massive human rights violations in Russia, the transformation of Russia into an authoritarian regime with a group of secret police officers at the helm, and Russia’s aggressive behavior toward its neighbors. Since resigning from his position, Dr. Illiarionov has been a prolific commentator on Kremlin’s policies and critic of Mr. Putin’s war in Ukraine and Georgia.