About this Event
As diplomatic pressure, battlefield realities, and geopolitical fatigue reshape the conversation around a possible settlement, our own Ilya Ponomarev will examine what the newly proposed peace frameworks between Russia and Ukraine entail — and what they risk. He will break down who is driving these initiatives, how they intersect with Western strategic interests, and why certain formulations could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty while strengthening the Kremlin’s hand.
In a moment when the meaning of “peace” is being contested, Ponomarev offers a clear, uncompromising look at the political, military, and moral stakes — and at what any sustainable agreement must include to avoid becoming a prelude to future conflict.
Ilya Ponomarev is a technology investor and political entrepreneur with deep expertise in defense innovation, emerging technologies, and Russia’s political system. A former member of the Russian Duma — and the only deputy to vote against the annexation of Crimea — he chaired the Innovation and Venture Capital Subcommittee, shaping early-stage investment policy and bringing modern tech-sector thinking into Russian governance.
After breaking with the Kremlin, Ponomarev relocated to Ukraine, where he became directly involved in building the country’s wartime defense ecosystem. He has played a role in advancing drone development, dual-use innovation, and mechanisms for scaling battlefield technologies into global markets. He also collaborates with Ukrainian political, military, and tech leaders, giving him a front-line perspective on both the war effort and the strategic pressures surrounding any proposed “peace agreement.”
Now based between Ukraine and Washington, Ponomarev is one of the most prominent voices of the Russian democratic opposition, a commentator on Russian elite dynamics, and an advocate for a post-Putin transition. His rare combination of venture experience, anti-Kremlin political insight, and hands-on involvement in Ukraine’s defense innovation makes him uniquely positioned to assess the risks, opportunities, and geopolitical implications of emerging Russia–Ukraine peace proposals.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Free Peoples of Russia House, 301 Maryland Avenue Northeast, Washington, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 12.51
