The National Endowment for Democracy, the U.S. Russia Foundation, and Free Russia Foundation are pleased to invite you to the second Washington Dialogue: Building a Strategy for Russia's Democratic Future. This conference will be held September 16-17, 2026, at the National Endowment for Democracy (1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC).

With Russia more isolated from the international community than at any time since the Soviet era, this convening represents an important opportunity for engagement with those Russians seeking to work with international partners toward a democratic and peaceful future. This event will bring Russian civil society leaders together for two days of conversation with American experts and policymakers about present opportunities and future paths. Russian activists, journalists, experts, and human rights defenders will bring insights from their work on the ground to lead discussions on the challenges facing the Putin regime, trends in Russian public opinion, repressive tactics ranging from severe digital censorship to political prisoners to restrictions on religious freedom, and the successes of Russian independent media and civil society. The Russian expert community will also share insiders’ perspectives on Russia’s global role, including its economic strategies in response to sanctions, its partnerships with other authoritarian states, and its international influence campaigns.

After more than four years of full-scale war against Ukraine, the Russian government’s narrative of a society united in support of military aggression is beginning to crack. The costs of an apparently stalemated war and the ever-increasing repression by a government unable to address problems in citizens’ everyday lives are provoking unprecedented calls to end the war from across Russian society. As the government tries to rally public support in advance of September Duma elections, it has little to offer voters either by way of military triumph or improvements in quality of life. This convening will thus take place at a key moment of opportunity for leaders of the Russian movement for democracy and peace to make their case for an alternative vision of Russia’s future.

Please register your attendance at the link below by no later than August 7, 2026. The full agenda and list of speakers will follow shortly. This is an invitation-only event; please do not forward this invitation.

We look forward to you joining us for this discussion.