Russia: Preparing for the Post-Putin Era

Following the Russian elections on March 18, Vladimir Putin will likely have just won a fourth (and probable final) term as president. Come for a discussion with Ambassador John Beyrle on “Russia: Preparing for the Post-Putin Era.”

Beyrle served as an American diplomat for more than three decades in foreign postings and domestic assignments focused on Central and Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and Russia. He was twice appointed ambassador—to Bulgaria (from 2005–08) and to Russia (from 2008–12). During the latter assignment, he led the implementation of policies resulting in improved United States–Russian relations, highlighted by the signing of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization and liberalized visa formalities.

Beyrle’s diplomatic service included two earlier tours at the U.S. embassy in Moscow, most recently serving as deputy chief of mission. He also served as counselor for political and economic affairs at the U.S. embassy in the Czech Republic and a member of the U.S. delegation to the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, negotiated in Vienna. In Washington, he served as special adviser to the secretary of state for the New Independent States and director for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian affairs on the staff of the National Security Council. As a staff officer in the 1980s, he traveled extensively with George Shultz and James Baker, former secretaries of state. Beyrle currently serves on the board of directors of the U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law.