Soviet Dissidents Understood What Russia’s Exiled Opposition Has Forgotten
Russia's opposition appear uncomfortable with what defeating Russia and supporting Ukraine would mean. Their Soviet predecessors were more clear-eyed.
A recent article in the Moscow Times details a conversation between prominent Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin and another writer regarding the strategy of the Russian opposition. Yashin maintains that his stance differs from the article's claim, but acknowledges the opportunity to continue the debate. The main issue is that the opposition's approach seems contradictory, as it aims to "liquidate" Vladimir Putin's regime while advocating measures to protect Europe from the consequences of doing so.
This strategy is argued to be impractical, as it seeks to undermine a regime engaged in a war by proposing policies that sustain its economic and military capabilities. The writer questions the effectiveness of targeted sanctions and the potential risks of increased immigration from Russia. They also caution against prematurely planning for Russia's reconstruction while it continues to engage in military actions against Ukraine.
The writer emphasizes that a democratic Russia, if it also embraces a post-imperial identity, is crucial for European security. They commend Soviet dissidents for their role in advocating for a democratic and peaceful Russia, drawing parallels to their principled actions during the Soviet era.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times - Opinion's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
