| Summary/Abstract |
This essay presents findings from 136 in-depth interviews conducted amongst students at three leading Russian universities. Qualitative analysis revealed a three-way divide in how the students imagined Russia’s future. The largest group is optimistic about Russia, seeing it as a global power. A second, smaller group expects Russia to decline in the coming years, while the third group is undecided and unwilling to make forecasts. The essay considers the arguments of the ‘optimists’ and ‘pessimists’, who respectively backed and criticised the annexation of Crimea. The essay highlights the association between support for the annexation and optimism about Russia’s future.
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