№ 22 (80), 2025. PIR Center and MGIMO University held a seminar on “Future of Russian-American Relations”, the keynote speaker was Anatoly Antonov

MOSCOW. JUNE 24, 2025. PIR PRESS. «I truly believe to what Mr. Trump is saying. He has learned from the mistakes of the past, and I hope that he will be able to realize his dream and do everything possible to normalize relations with Russia. However, concrete steps are needed, not just words», – Anatoly Antonov, Doctor of Political Science, MGIMO University Professor, Russian Ambassador to the United States (2017-2024).

The first academic year of a new International Security MA program, implemented jointly by PIR Center and MGIMO University, is coming to an end. To sum up its main results, we recall the most memorable moments. Undoubtedly, one of them was the seminar on future of Russian-American relations, which was held as a part of the discipline “Current Issues in International Security”. The keynote speaker was Prof. Anatoly Antonov, Doctor of Political Science, MGIMO University Professor, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States (2017 – 2024). The discussion was moderated by Dr. Vladimir Orlov, Founding Director of PIR Center, MGIMO University Professor, Academic Director of the Master’s Program International Security.

“Firstly, the Americans argue that the New START Treaty cannot be extended beyond its current terms because it can only be extended once. Secondly, the U.S. assumes that an agreement with Russia is necessary in order to preserve the verification regime. They are dreaming if they can come to Russia and look into the launcher shaft to see how many nuclear warheads each carrier has — in other words, they are very eager to verify us. This was one of the main problems during the START negotiations. Thirdly, they propose creating something like the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, which would define the basic parameters of arms control and verification procedures,” said Prof. Anatoly Antonov during the seminar.

The event aroused keen interest among the audience, with many people unable to find a seat.

“Taking part in this seminar was a unique opportunity for me. It’s not something usual, attending a lecture from someone who has represented Russian diplomacy in the United States for seven years. The seminar was fascinating and provided an insight on the future of Russian-American relations,” Mr. Greg Yoo, postgraduate student of MGIMO University, Alumni of Dual Degree MA Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy, and WMD Nonproliferation.

“Such events reaffirm that International Security Master’s program is unrivalled. As well as courses on arms control, hybrid warfare, nuclear nonproliferation and other practical disciplines, we attend the events with speakers of an extremely high caliber. I am once again convinced that I made the right choice in choosing this MA program,” Ms. Esenia Kosulina, first-year student of MA program International Security.

The students and all of the participants also received a hard copy of the monograph published by PIR Center entitled Russian-American Nuclear Nonproliferation Dialogue. Lessons Learned and Road Ahead.

The interview, based on a Q&A session during the workshop, is available on PIR Center website via the link (in Russian).

The main theses of Anatoly Antonov during the seminar can be found in the material on the PIR Center website via the link (in Russian).

You can access a photo gallery from the event via the link.

Keywords: International Security; Russia–USA; Strategic Stability

NS

E16/AST – 25/06/24