CENTREPEACE at the Aleksanteri Conference 2025
CENTREPEACE presented at the Aleksanteri Conference 2025 with contributions on political change in Eastern Partnership countries and EU engagement in de facto states.
Visit of Professor Vladimir Gel’man to Masaryk University: Teaching, Discussion, and Strengthening Cooperation
From 24 to 28 November 2025, Masaryk University welcomed Professor Vladimir Gel’man from the Aleksanteri Institute at the University of Helsinki. His visit included teaching, a book presentation, and meetings with university leadership and researchers as part of the CENTREPEACE project.
During the fourth week of November, Masaryk University welcomed Professor Vladimir Gel’man, a prominent political scientist from the University of Helsinki whose research focuses on Russian politics and political developments in post-Soviet Eurasia. His visit took place within the framework of the CENTREPEACE project, which has long connected experts from Masaryk University and the University of Helsinki.
One of the main parts of his programme was a master’s course titled “Changes in Post-Soviet Eurasia,” which offered an overview of the evolution of political systems in post-Soviet countries and explained how key institutions emerged and disappeared after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Students explored the influence of historical legacies as well as the role of domestic and international actors in shaping new states. The course also examined the “colour revolutions” and current developments in the region, particularly the war in Ukraine and Russia’s position in Eurasian politics.
Another key event of the visit was the presentation of Gel’man’s new book Russia’s Gamble, which analyses the causes of Russia’s attack on Ukraine and explains why the Kremlin has failed to achieve its initial objectives. The author shows how the personalised authoritarian style of governance, flawed decision-making, and long-standing misperceptions among Russia’s elites contributed to a severe misreading of reality. The book also highlights the broader implications of Russia’s aggression for the study of international politics in the twenty-first century.
During his stay, Prof. Gel’man also met with the Rector of Masaryk University to discuss the ongoing activities within the CENTREPEACE project and the importance of the social sciences for understanding contemporary global challenges. In the evening, a broader discussion followed with Vice-Rectors Jiří Hanuš, Monika Jandová and Petr Suchý, as well as researchers from various faculties. The debate focused mainly on Russia, societal developments in the country, and how the EU can respond to political and security shifts in Europe.
Professor Gel’man’s visit significantly strengthened cooperation between Masaryk University and the University of Helsinki. It also raised awareness of the CENTREPEACE project and underscored the crucial role that the social sciences play in helping us understand the world we live in today.
