A close ally of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has outlined a 25-year vision for Russia that includes the use of nuclear weapons to secure what he describes as a “good” outcome. Konstantin Malofeev, founder of the Orthodox media network Tsargrad, presented a “Russia 2050” report at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Malofeev predicted three possible scenarios for the country’s future. The “good” outcome would involve Russia “obtaining a clear image of victory in the ideological war” using nuclear weapons, annexing major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv, and witnessing the collapse of the European Union. The “bad” outcome would see Russia losing the war in Ukraine and being colonised. The “status quo” scenario would result in American or Chinese global dominance, with Russia potentially using nuclear weapons within the next decade.
Malofeev has been a vocal supporter of the annexation of Crimea and has funded efforts to destabilise Ukraine, including backing Russia’s 2014 invasion of the country. He was joined by co-author Alexander Dugin, a far-right political philosopher whose daughter Darya was killed in a 2022 car bomb that Moscow has blamed on Ukraine. Dugin confirmed the report had already been presented to the Russian Ministry of Defence. Both men face sanctions from the UK, US, and EU.
The forum has highlighted two competing schools of thought within Russia. Some want the country to continue fighting and prepare for global confrontation with the West, while others have emphasised the economic benefits of ending the war. Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s go-between with the Trump administration, has been touting the potential economic benefits of a peace deal.
The conference was overshadowed by Ukrainian drone strikes on an oil terminal and naval base in St Petersburg. One Russian participant told Reuters: “The question is: does this war end or do we stare into a much tougher future?”
Speaking at the forum, Dugin stated, “We need to gather all our strength, gather all of our will and stop pretending that we are a peaceful country that goes off to barbecues or summer vacations.” When asked to sum up Russia’s relations with the West in the coming years, he replied simply: “War.” He had previously said the conflict in Ukraine “will end either with Russia’s victory or it will never end.”