Dr Ryhor Astapenia

Dr Ryhor Astapenia is director of the Belarus Initiative in the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House. His research focuses on Belarusian domestic politics and foreign policy. Ryhor is also the founder of the Center for New Ideas, a non-partisan civil society organization promoting democratic reforms in Belarus. He received his PhD in political science at the University of Warsaw.

Ryhor is a frequent panellist on events dedicated to Belarusian politics. His analysis and comments have appeared in various media including the Washington Post, the Guardian, the Telegraph, BBC World Service, Al-Jazeera, CNN, Euronews, MSNBC and Monocle Radio. He has also contributed articles to think-tanks such as the European Council on Foreign Relations and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.