Join us for an engaging conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Margus Tsahkna and Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute Michael McFaul on Russia’s war against Ukraine, its global implications, and transatlantic collaboration:

European Security in a New Transatlantic Era

Minister Tsahkna will present Estonia’s take on strengthening transatlantic cooperation in the increasingly interconnected world. The only way to tackle current global geopolitical challenges is for the transatlantic partnership to remain strong and effective. There is much to gain from working together on both sides of the Atlantic in economic, security, or energy-related areas. The Minister will touch upon respective ongoing discussions in Estonia, but also the European Union and NATO, especially in reaction to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Achieving just and lasting peace in Ukraine, with a clear path for the country into the EU and NATO, remains not only the key issue for European security but will have a broader positive impact globally. Protecting international law, advancing the rules-based international order, countering hybrid attacks, and supporting those who fight for their sovereignty and freedom are all complex tasks that require the highest degree of cooperation and unity between partners who share the same fundamental values.

Margus Tsahkna is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia from 17 April 2023. He is a member of the Eesti 200 party. Previously, Mr. Tsahkna served as a long-time member of the Estonian Parliament. He also served as Minister of Defence (2016–2017) and Minister of Social Protection (2015–2016). He studied at the School of Theology and Religious Studies and the School of Law at the University of Tartu from 1996–2002 and at the University of Toronto from 1999–2000, specializing in international law.

Michael McFaul is the Director at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, the Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies in the Department of Political Science, and the Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He joined the Stanford faculty in 1995. He served for five years in the Obama administration, first as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council at the White House (2009-2012), and then as U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2012-2014).

Opening remarks will be delivered by Michael Keller, Vice Provost and University Librarian.

This in-person event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

This event is part of Global Conversations, a series of talks, lectures, and seminars hosted by Stanford University Libraries and Vabamu with the goal of educating scholars, students, leaders, and the public on the benefits of but also challenges related to sustaining freedom.