RIAC–St. Petersburg State University Roundtable “Increasing Tensions in the Baltic Sea Region: Management Mechanisms”

On July 2, 2025, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), together with St. Petersburg State University (SPbU), held a roundtable discussion on “Increasing Tensions in the Baltic Sea Region: Management Mechanisms.”

The discussion addressed a wide range of issues, including the historical evolution of the Baltic Sea as a region of cooperation, its subsequent shift toward sharp confrontation, and possible ways to manage rising tensions across the Baltics. Experts examined the prospects for a comprehensive “regional deal,” potential models for addressing the ongoing international crisis, mechanisms to mitigate emerging risks, the influence of external actors on the Baltic Sea region, and the decision by unfriendly states to deploy nuclear weapons near Russia’s borders. The conversation also explored the economic structures of the Baltic states, the implications of Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO for regional security, and the current tensions in Russia–Poland relations.

On July 2, 2025, the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), together with St. Petersburg State University (SPbU), held a roundtable discussion titled “Increasing Tensions in the Baltic Sea Region: Management Mechanisms.”

The discussion addressed a wide range of issues, including the historical evolution of the Baltic Sea as a region of cooperation, its subsequent shift toward sharp confrontation, and possible ways to manage rising tensions across the Baltics. Experts examined the prospects for a comprehensive “regional deal,” potential models for addressing the ongoing international crisis, mechanisms to mitigate emerging risks, the influence of external actors on the Baltic Sea region, and the decision by unfriendly states to deploy nuclear weapons near Russia’s borders. The conversation also explored the economic structures of the Baltic states, the implications of Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO for regional security, and the current tensions in Russia–Poland relations.

Participants included:

• Irina Novikova, Dean of the School of International Relations and Professor, Department of European Studies, SPbU

• Svetlana Gavrilova, Program Director, RIAC

• Igor Zhukovsky, Senior Research Fellow, Baltic Region Comprehensive Studies Group, Center for Strategic Planning Studies, IMEMO RAS

• Konstantin Khudoley, Head of the Department of European Studies, SPbU; RIAC Member

• Daria Akhutina, Director General, “Center for Sustainable Development of Regions” (NORDEN)

• Vladislav Vorotnikov, Leading Research Fellow, Institute for International Studies, MGIMO University

• Oksana Grigoryeva, Associate Professor, Department of European Studies, SPbU

• Vladimir Olenchenko, Senior Research Fellow, Center for European Studies, IMEMO RAS

• Dmitry Lanko, Associate Professor, Department of European Studies, SPbU

• Dmitry Danilov, Head of the Department of European Security, Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences

• Artem Baryonkin, Associate Professor, Department of European Studies, SPbU

The discussion was moderated by Milan Lazovic, RIAC Program Manager.