Probably, among the leaders of the Kremlin opposition, Vladimir Kara-Murza is the most media-friendly and charismatic. He is almost fluent in English and French, is always open to communicating with journalists, and is active on social networks. He expresses his thoughts clearly, and in almost every interview he has certain messages that he substantiates.
However, there are certain topics that the leader of the Russian emigration avoids. I tried to figure out what makes politician Vladimir Kara-Murza and the anti-Putin environment in exile useful for us, and what doesn’t.
Don’t be surprised: despite widespread scepticism about Russians who oppose Putin, there are some positives in their activities.
So, Kara-Murza stands on the position of recognising Russia’s responsibility towards Ukraine. This includes: the return of occupied territories, payment of reparations, return of prisoners of war and kidnapped citizens of Ukraine. In almost every interview, he speaks about personal responsibility for the outbreak of the war and the need to bring war criminals to justice. Obviously, such a position is correct and in solidarity with our struggle.
But more about the differences.
Vladimir Kara-Murza is strongly opposed to the Western sanctions regime in its all-encompassing form. His main thesis: “All Russians should not suffer!” He supports sanctions, but only selective ones — against those who are directly involved in the war. In his opinion, general banking, economic, sports and transport restrictions should be lifted.
We know very well how the Russian leadership seeks to lift sanctions, how their allies in the world are trying to undermine the sanctions mechanisms, using the differences between the countries that impose them. The idea of partial or selective lifting of restrictions fully corresponds to the interests of the Kremlin authorities. Right now, the Kremlin is trying to gradually integrate Russia into the world economy and return it to relations with the civilized world through the lifting of sanctions.
Therefore, such calls by Kara-Murza and the so-called “Russian opposition” are extremely counterproductive to achieving victory over Russia and actually contribute to the realization of the goals of the Putin regime.
In their numerous contacts with the press, the “oppositionists” try to avoid statements about Russia’s responsibility as a state for the outbreak of the war. They focus exclusively on Putin and his entourage.
They avoid the topic of the territorial division of Russia and its future decolonization. In one of his interviews, Kara-Murza stated that his goal is to “integrate Russia into Western European civilization.” But it doesn’t work that way.
I would like to remind Vladimir that it was the European community of countries that was formed on the basis of respect for the rights and freedoms of indigenous nations. Russia, on the contrary, built an empire on their enslavement. European states abandoned their colonies, which became independent countries.
Are Putin’s opponents ready to admit Moscow’s guilt before the enslaved peoples? Are they ready to support the creation of independent states in place of modern Russia? Obviously not. And they are avoiding this topic in every possible way.
It is obvious that Vladimir Kara-Murza, Leonid Volkov, as well as supporters of Alexei Navalny are democratic Russian politicians. All politicians strive to gain power. But they have no chance of defeating Putin democratically.
Therefore, if they really want to achieve their declared goals, they need to stand in opposition not only to Putin, but also to imperial Russia as a phenomenon. They need to start a dialogue with the national liberation movements of the nations enslaved by Russia, take a course towards dismantling the empire and creating a New Russia — on new territorial and constitutional foundations.
Only this can guarantee New Russia democratic development, good relations and cooperation with its neighbours, as well as recognition by world democracies.
History has proven that a simple change of faces in the Kremlin does not deprive this office of imperial ambitions.
Does Vladimir Kara-Murza, as the new, so far media-based, leader of the anti-Putin opposition, understand this? I doubt it, but I still hope so.
Meanwhile, our true allies are those enslaved nations who have firmly set their course to break with the imperial centre. May God grant them steadfastness and assist them in this important cause.
