MOSCOW. AUGUST 25, 2023. PIR PRESS. «Lieutenant General Gennady M. Evstafiev is a man of great strength of spirit, deep wisdom and an amazing professionalism, who gave all of himself, his health, strength, intellect to serve the fatherland and strengthen international security», — from the book Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev, PIR Center, 2023.
On August 25, 2023, Gennady M. Evstafiev, an outstanding Soviet and Russian intelligence officer and diplomat, Lieutenant General of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, former senior Vice-President of PIR Center, would have been 85 years old. From 1986 to 1991, Gennady M. Evstafiev was one of the Heads of the Soviet delegation at the negotiations on the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) in Vienna. He worked for a long time in the system of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. From 2000 to 2003 he was a part of the Russian mission to NATO, where he dealt with counter-terrorism issues and WMD nonproliferation.
Gennady M. Evstafiev was one of the patriarchs of nuclear nonproliferation, an extremely open-minded person with extraordinary professionalism who has consistently promoted the peaceful coexistence of nuclear powers and the importance of dialogue between them. He also extensively contributed to the preparation of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service`s public reports A New Challenge After the Cold War: Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (1993) (in Russian) and The Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons: Problems of Extension (1995) (in Russian).
On January 28, 2023, PIR Center commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service’s public report A New Challenge After the Cold War: Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. “The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service report in 1993 was epoch-making, without exaggeration. Of course, they read between the lines: what was not said in the report was no less significant than what was said aloud. Due to the work of the authors, the world had learned that Russia could speak the language of facts and logical arguments, and despite everything, lead the formation of the global agenda on nonproliferation and disarmament”, — Dr. Vladimir Orlov, Founding Director of PIR Center, mentioned in the column published in the Kommersant Daily on the 30th anniversary of the presentation of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service`s public report.
In memory of Gennady M. Evstafiev, PIR Center develops a Memory Gallery of Gennady M. Evstafiev based on the educational platform NONPROLIFERATION.WORLD. It comprises the facts from the biography of Gennady M. Evstafiev, his papers, memories, and photographs that describe his professional and personal growth.
Additionally, you may also learn more about Gennady M. Evstafiev in the interview prepared by PIR Center within the framework of the Open Collar. “We must learn to prevent the consequences of the emergence of new devastating military technologies and weapons through timely political and legal measures. Otherwise, we will again face a long and exhausting arms race and the emergence of severe crises and confrontations”, — Gennady M. Evstafiev told.
In 2023, PIR Center published the book Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev, timed to coincide with the 85th anniversary of his birth. The Anthology was released within the framework of Oral History of Nuclear Nonproliferation: Voices from Russia project with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation. The Anthology includes articles by Gennady M. Evstafiev, published at different times in PIR Center editions and devoted to the most complex and controversial issues in the field of global security — from the future of nuclear nonproliferation regime to the prospects for the development of unmanned aerial vehicles and US policy in Central Asia.
“Gennady Evstafiev was a real passionary: keeping his mind in the cold, he was a professional, not indifferent, passionate — in everything that concerned the interests of Russia, its security, in everything that made it possible to avoid a global catastrophe. He extensively contributed to the maintenance of nuclear nonproliferation regime”, — Dr. Vladimir Orlov, Founding Director of PIR Center, noted in the preface of the Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev.
The scientific legacy of Gennady M. Evstafiev is of great salience even today. In particular, his ideas and works laid the methodology foundation of PIR Center Report New Nuclear Nine? Assessing Nuclear Proliferation Threats in the World, the second edition of which was also dedicated to the anniversary of Gennady M. Evstafiev.
On June 4, 2023, both books were presented on the margins of the XXII PIR Center International School on Global Security. As part of the event, the participants discussed the current state of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime alongside the main challenges that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons faces in the context of the transformation of the world order.
Thus, the expert seminar At the Threshold of the “Nuclear Club”: Nuclear Nonproliferation Issues between 1993 and 2023 welcomed the leading specialists in international relations. Dr. Vladimir Orlov, PIR Center Founding Director, MGIMO University professor, in his speech touched upon key aspects of international security policy, and also reminded the audience of the importance of maintaining an expert dialogue on sensitive issues in an era of turbulence. Mr. Sergey Semenov, PIR Center Research Fellow, spoke about the current state of the NPT regime, briefly describing the main challenges to the nonproliferation regime, and also provided data on key near-threshold powers in terms of the development of military nuclear programs. Dr. Alexander Fedorov, Associate Professor of the Department of Information Security of the Faculty of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Control Systems, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, member of PIR Center Advisory Board, spoke about the significance of the Public Report A New Challenge after the Cold War: Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction for Russian and global WMDs nonproliferation practice, and also briefly listed the main milestones in the transformation of the Russian approach.
The seminar was attended by students of the XXII PIR Center International School on Global Security, as well as invited guests, including H.E. Igor Vishnevetsky, Deputy Director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control of the Russian Foreign Ministry; Mr. Gleb Efremov, General Director of the International Uranium Enrichment Centre, member of PIR Center Advisory Board; Dr. Igor Istomin, Acting Chair at the Department of Applied International Political Analysis of MGIMO University, Lead Research Fellow at the Center for Advanced American Studies of the Institute for International Studies of MGIMO University, member of PIR Center Advisory Board; Mr. Igor Shakirov, PIR Alumni Community member, and representatives of the author team of the PIR Center Report New Nuclear Nine? Assessing Nuclear Proliferation Threats in the World — Ms. Alexandra Zubenko, PIR Center Junior Research Fellow; Mr. Maxim Lats, graduate of Strategic and Arms Control Studies Program at St. Petersburg University; Ms. Sofya Shestakova, Master`s student of the School of World Politics at Lomonosov Moscow State University.
Gennady M. Evstafiev has always emphasized the importance of raising young specialists and has always observed their research activities, commemorating their brightest achievements.
Accordingly, in 2021, PIR Center established a competition for the G.M. Evstafiev Award, or the Evstafiev Award, for the best research work in the field of international security.
To hold a competition, to develop the Memory Gallery of Gennady M. Evstafiev, and to publish the Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev, the Commission on the Legacy of Lieutenant General Gennady M. Evstafiev was formed. The Commission is chaired by Dr. Vladimir Orlov, Founding Director of PIR Center. The Commission is composed of Lieutenant General (retired) Evgeny Buzhinsky, Head of the Center for Applied Political and Military Studies of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Chairman of PIR Center Executive Board; Colonel-General (retired) Vladimir Verkhovtsev, 7th Head of the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (2005-2011), General Director of ARMZ Rosatom; Dr. Dmitry Evstafiev, Professor of the Faculty of Creative Industries, Institute of Media, HSE University, member of the Editorial Board of Security Index; Colonel-General (retired) Viktor Yesin, Senior Fellow of the Institute for US and Canadian Studies of RAS, member of PIR Center Advisory Board; Mr. Albert Zulkharneev, Head of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo – Russian House in Bishkek, member of PIR Center Advisory Board; Dr. Vadim Kozyulin, Head of the Center for Global Studies & International Organizations of the Institute for Contemporary International Studies of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, member of PIR Center Executive Board; Lieutenant General (retired) Vasily Lata, Professor of the Department of Rocket Forces and Artillery of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, PIR Center consultant; Mr. Viktor Litovkin, military observer of TASS; Dr. Vladimir Rudakov, Editor-in-Chief of the Istorik (Historian) Journal, member of PIR Center Advisory Board; Mr. Sergey Semenov, PIR Center Research Fellow; H.E. Oleg Stepanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Canada, member of PIR Center Advisory Board; Dr. Dmitry Trenin, Lead Researcher at the Section for Non-Proliferation and Arms Limitation of the Center for International Security, IMEMO RAS, member of PIR Center Executive Board; Dr. Elena Chernenko, special correspondent of the Kommersant Daily, member of PIR Center Executive Board; Dr. Alexander Fedorov, Associate Professor of the Department of Information Security of the Faculty of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Control Systems, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, member of PIR Center Advisory Board.
The competition is held annually among young Russian and foreign researchers whose works were published in the PIR Center’s Security Index and Security Index Occasional Paper Series.
In 2023, the competition is held within the framework of the project Global Security: A View from Russia for the Youth Around the World with the support of the Presidential Grants Foundation. The Award this year is 300 000 rub.
You can find more information about the competition here.
The memory of Gennady M. Evstafiev is cherished by the entire PIR Center staff, including the younger generation. To commemorate his 85th birthday, they shared some bright words about the legacy of an outstanding intelligence officer and diplomat:
“Gennady M. Evstafiev contributed a lot to address the nonproliferation issue. He was one of the authors of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service’s public reports A New Challenge After the Cold War: Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (1993) (in Russian) and The Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons: Problems of Extension (1995), which are still being referred by both young generation of researchers as well as recognized experts. He was an amazing practitioner and analyst who attracted attention of the world to the issue of nuclear proliferation”, — Mr. Roman Kalinin, PhD student of the School of World Politics at Lomonosov Moscow State University, PIR Center intern.
“Lieutenant General Gennady M. Evstafiev was not only an outstanding professional, analyst, and practitioner, but a man with a unique insight. His contribution to developing and maintaining the nonproliferation regime and international security is invaluable. Today, the legacy of Gennady M. Evstafiev helps to assess modern security challenges accurately. His ideas and approaches will be always relevant”, — Ms. Ksenia Mineeva, PIR Center Information & Publications Program Coordinator.
“Gennady M. Evstafiev is undoubtedly considered a person who made an enormous contribution to maintaining international security and protecting Russian national interests. During his professional path, he held different posts and positions, which, in my view, facilitated his growth as an open-minded and versatile person, an expert in many fields, particularly WMD nonproliferation. Reading his works is not only theoretically valuable but also practically essential, as the ideas he expressed years ago are still relevant today. We all should take the legacy of Gennady M. Evstafiev seriously and look at the modern world from another angle, from the perspective of an outstanding professional and amazing person”, — Mr. Maxim Sorokin, graduate of the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), PIR Center intern.
“Gennady M. Evstafiev was an amazingly open-minded person. His ability to find the strength to work endlessly and tirelessly is stunning. Gennady M. Evstafiev is the father of nuclear nonproliferation, who guided the new generations of researchers working in the field. Today, looking through his notes, articles, and annotations, we always find ideas similarly relevant today, as they were several years ago”, — Mr. Anatoly Shchekin, Master’s student in International Relations at MGIMO University, PIR Center intern.
The unique insight of Gennady M. Evstafiev and the relevance of his ideas are evidenced by the keen interest towards the book Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev from experienced and young specialists:
“The book Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev is highly necessary and opportune. Today, when the geopolitical environment remains unstable, referring to past research in the field is specifically necessary. Gennady M. Evstafiev has always been a recognized expert on this matter; he elaborated on the methodology for resolving the ongoing security issues based on cooperation and protection of Russian national interests. I am certain that his works, collected in the Anthology, are still relevant!” — Colonel-General (retired) Vladimir Verkhovtsev, 7th Head of the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (2005-2011), General Director of ARMZ Rosatom.
“The book Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev is a treasure trove of wise, often visionary thoughts of a man who devoted his whole life to serving the goal of nonproliferation of nuclear weapons and protecting the interests of his country. It is remarkable and important that even after the author left us, his legacy remains relevant. The Anthology will provide many specialists with a hint for further research, will reveal many issues from the perspective of a man-practitioner who, despite the specific work conditions, fervently worried about the future of the international security system”, — Mr. Viktor Litovkin, military observer of TASS.
“Gennady M. Evstafiev was a man with a unique insight. Several years ago, in his works, he explicitly described future changes in the world order we face. The works of Gennady M. Evstafiev are essential and valuable for those connecting their lives with politics, diplomacy, nonproliferation, and disarmament and those working today in the private sector worldwide dealing with dual-use goods and services. As a man from the private sector, I would recommend the book Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev to my colleagues. I am taking this opportunity to express my gratitude to my colleagues from PIR Press and to all those contributing to publishing this book”, — Mr. Gleb Efremov, General Director of the International Uranium Enrichment Centre, member of PIR Center Advisory Board.
“The book Anthology of Gennady M. Evstafiev is an invaluable addition to the bookshelves of anybody studying international relations and security. The ideas of Gennady M. Evstafiev expressed several years ago help us better understand past events and sometimes look at the ongoing process from another angle. I want to thank PIR Center for this amazing gift!” — Mr. Svyatoslav Arov, Master’s student in International Relations at MGIMO University.
“The collection of Evstafiev’s works is a great finding for those interested in international security and WMD nonproliferation. First and foremost, it is exciting to look at the issues from the perspective of an intelligence officer. Even though the works compiled in the Book were written in the 1990s and early 2000s, they are still amazingly relevant. Let us remember the issue of UAV proliferation, which is addressed by Gennady M. Evstafiev, expressing his concern over an arms race and destabilizing geopolitical environment. And now we face the news about UAVs almost every day, and this news is frightening”, — Mr. Evgeny Belousov, Master’s student in International Relations at MGIMO University.
Key words: Memory Gallery
NPR/HIS
