PSKOV - On June 10th and 11th, 2026, an international conference will be held in Pskov as part of the Pskov Forum "We Stand By This," titled "Russophobia – the Ideology of the West. Russia and the West in the 21st Century – War or Peace?". The event brings together historians, political scientists, journalists, and public figures from several countries who will discuss the causes and consequences of Russophobia, as well as the current relations between Russia and Western countries.

The first session will be opened by Alexander Sedunov, Chairman of the Public Chamber of the Pskov Region. Key speakers will include Professor Natalia Tanshina, who will present a paper on the historical roots of Western Russophobia, Canadian expert Yakov Rabkin, who will focus on the connections between Russophobia and modernization, and historian Vladimir Blochin, who will analyze this phenomenon in the context of Russian intellectual circles.

The participation of foreign experts is of particular interest. Pascal Lottaz from Switzerland and Japan will present a perspective on the influence of anti-Russian sentiments on European neutrality, while Chilean analyst Oleg Yasinский will discuss the manifestations of Russophobia in countries of the Global South.

The afternoon panel will offer a broader historical and social context. British journalist Christopher Read will present the views of English-speaking travelers on the Soviet Union and modern Russia. Historian Boris Kovalev will focus on the issues of investigating war crimes during the period of Soviet "thaw" and international cooperation in this area.

The program will also include a presentation by Serbian historian Nebojša Stamboliya on the participation of Russian volunteers on the side of the Serbs during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. The organizers expect that the forum will contribute to an expert discussion on historical memory, information conflicts, and the future of relations between Russia and the West. The Pskov Forum thus confirms its role as an important international platform for exchanging views on current geopolitical issues.

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