On June 18 the three-hour dialogue of the 2025 Space Bridge/Citizens’ Summit between citizens of St. Petersburg, Russia and citizens in Kingston, New York, showed the world how a path of peace and understanding could replace perpetual war and the geopolitical narrative. It marked the 40th anniversary of the 1985 “Leningrad-Seattle” Citizens’ Summit organized by journalists, Phil Donahue of the United States and Vladimir Pozner of the Soviet Union.
The audience from both countries included dignitaries and leaders for peace, however, most were just concerned citizens, looking to reduce world tensions and conflicts. One of the first speakers was the president of the Russian-American Society of Friendship, who said that he was so glad that there would be the first serious dialogue in years. He was fascinated that the town of Kingston was described as the first capital of New York, and is the birthplace of the state constitution, which became the model for 70% of the constitutions of other states throughout the United States. He acknowledged that the Constitution is so important to Americans and that Kingston represents the true “roots” of America.
Dennis Kucinich said that, while the two countries may have political differences, there is a commonality of the two nations. Kucinich spoke of the suffering of the Russian people during World War II, and that the Russian people are brave and strong, and must be included in any conversation about the future direction of the world.