The Romanian Centre for Russian Studies (University of Bucharest)
The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (Oslo)
are pleased to invite scholars to
The IVthAnnual Conference of the Romanian Centre for Russian Studies:
Ukraine and the New World Order. What Comes Next to Us – EU and NATO – When Facing Russian Aggression/Offensive Strategies
13-15 November 2025
University of Bucharest, Romania
The challenges of the past three years seem to have mounted, with military actions in Ukraine persisting and escalating, and with controversial electoral processes across Europe and the US. It may seem that 2025 will prove decisive for the ongoing phase of the war in Ukraine. The changing American position was a shock for many. While peace in Ukraine might actually be achieved through American pressure, the cost might prove immense for Kyiv, its longstanding partners, and democracy around the world. Nonetheless, the recent developments herald a new world order based on great power interests, and which brings more uncertainty and instability than it was hoped for at the end of the Cold War, when the triumph of democracy seemed to be incontestable.
On this background, this year’s conference aims to discuss the immediate impact, as well as far-reaching consequences of the war in Ukraine, its possible closure, and the different scenarios of such a closure. Special attention will be given to the future European security environment, and the role the EU and NATO could play in the new world order.
We welcome researchers from different disciplines and career stages to send their contributions. Submissions from fields such as history, international relations, security and war studies, cultural studies, comparative politics, economics, gender studies, political science, and any other pertinent field of research are desirable, as we continue our endeavour to bring together the latest research that has the potential to shed light on the current events and the new reality.
We encourage the submission of papers and panels focusing primarily, but not exclusively, on the following topics:
- Origins of current Russian foreign policy and its aggression in Eastern Europe.
- Predictions and possible outcomes of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
- How to get away with crime. Russia in the new world order.
- What are Russia’s economic options in a post-war scenario?
- Enablers and proxies of war: what is the risk and what is the reward?
- United in disunity. How is the EU dealing with its internal blockages?
- What comes out of Ukraine? Scenarios for a post-war Ukrainian state.
- NATO’s past and future. What will the role and influence of NATO be in a new world order (with or without American commitment)?
- What is the impact of the new world order on smaller and medium-sized countries?
- Interference in elections in democratic states – a Russian tactic in hybrid warfare
- New challenges driven by AI advances for countering disinformation
Financial Conditions
There is no participation fee.
As part of our endeavour to encourage and promote young researchers in the field of Russian studies, we offer those accepted financial support needed to cover accommodation for three nights. Selection is based on the academic quality of the abstracts; the motivation letter, submitted alongside the abstract, is important.
For all participants meals are covered by the organizers.
The conference is organised with the financial support of the University of Bucharest.
Format: The Conference is held in a hybrid format: in-person participation in Bucharest, Romania, and virtual meetings on a specialised platform. In-person participation is encouraged.
Application
Please complete the attached application form, including:
- Paper abstract (up to 300 words),
- Short biography (up to 150 words)
- Motivation letter (up to 300 words) for participants requesting free accomodation.
The application should be sent via email to: mariusdiaconescu@istorie.unibuc.ro by 20 September 2025, in English.
Successful applicants will be notified via email by 25 September 2025.
Conference language: English.
Academic Committee:
Prof. Dr. Mihai Răzvan Ungureanu (University of Bucharest)
Prof. Dr. Armand Goșu (University of Bucharest)
Prof. Dr. Arild Moe (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)
Prof. Dr. Iver Neumann (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)
Organising Committee:
Dr. Marius Diaconescu (University of Bucharest)
Dr. Iulia Mustățea (University of Bucharest)
Contact: mariusdiaconescu@istorie.unibuc.ro. Please contact us, should there be any questions.
Important dates:
Deadline for submitting applications: 20 September 2025.
Notification of acceptance: 25 September 2025.
Conference: 13-15 November 2025.
 and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (Oslo) are pleased to invite scholars to The IVthAnnual Conference of the Romanian Centre for Russian Studies: Ukraine and the New World Order. What Comes Next to Us – EU and NATO – When Facing Russian Aggression/Offensive Strategies, 13-15 November 2025, University of Bucharest, Romania.){kind=link}