Invitation
The German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) invites you to a public discussion on Russia’s Strategy to Build a “Sovereign Internet” and Its Consequences at Home and Abroad
Thursday, February 20, 2020, 6:00–7:30 pm
German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) Rauchstraße 17, 10787 Berlin
Russia recently passed new legislation to create a so-called “sovereign internet.” The Kremlin’s plan to cut the country off from the global internet will not, however, be easy to implement. In order to build up the necessary hardware and software, the Russian government is likely to rely on assistance from China – its role model for state control of online communications and networks. But unlike its Chinese counterpart, Russia’s internet has had strong and numerous connections to global web architecture since its inception.
Putin’s “sovereign internet” strategy is an important part of his political agenda with potentially far-reaching consequences – not only for civil and economic life in Russia, but also for governments, companies, and civil-society actors in Europe. If it succeeds, it will accelerate a global shift to a more fragmented internet.
Speakers will discuss this Russian strategy in the context of recent constitutional and government changes as well as implications for Europe and Germany.
Speakers: Andrei Soldatov, Agentura.Ru
Alena Epifanova, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Dr. Daniel Voelsen, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
Chair: Milan Nič, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
The event is organized by the Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia and will be held in English.