Tuesday 29 April @ 9:30 - 12:00 CET

On Tuesday, 29 April, ECR MEP Rihards Kols and the European Leadership Network will host a high-level policy event, focusing on the growing authoritarian cooperation between Russia and Iran.

Policymakers, security practitioners and expert will gather to assess the implications of this evolving threat for Europe’s security. With a particular focus on the Baltics, Israel, and Ukraine, the conference will address how Russian and Iranian malign activities — from cyber and intelligence operations to military and energy coercion — endanger European interests, NATO cohesion, and democratic resilience.

Agenda:

• Expert panel on Russia as the primary existential threat and Iran as an emerging strategic challenge.
• Discussions on hybrid warfare, regional destabilization, energy security, and cyber threats.
• Insights into actionable strategies to counter this malign axis.

Speakers:

• James Sherr OBE — Honorary Fellow, International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), Tallinn; leading expert on Russia, Ukraine, and European security.
• Dr. Sarah Fainberg — Senior Researcher, Tel Aviv University; expert on Russian and Chinese policy in the Middle East.
• Edward Hunter Christie — Senior Research Fellow, Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA); former NATO official.
• Dr. Joris Van Bladel — Senior Associate Fellow, Egmont Institute; specialist in Russian military culture and strategic thinking.