Russia's exiled opposition holds rally in Berlin
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, and opposition politicians Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza, who were released from Russian custody in a prisoner exchange at the beginning of August, have organised a rally against the Russian regime and the war in Ukraine for this Sunday in Berlin. Commentators living in exile explain why demonstrations by anti-Putinists outside Russia are important.
A counterweight to Kremlin propaganda
In a Facebook post, political scientist Abbas Gallyamov stresses the importance of adopting a clear stance at least outside Russia:
“After the Russian authorities destroyed all mechanisms [for freedom of expression], it became possible for them to impose on society the belief that everyone loves Putin and approves of the war. ... The opposition has to constantly demonstrate to every Russian citizen willing to protest that he or she is not alone, that there are many people who think this way. Of course it would be better to show this through protests in Russia, but since this is not possible it must be done in those places where it is possible. ... That is certainly better than doing nothing and leaving the field of public opinion to the regime without putting up a fight.”
Symbolic solidarity with Putin's victims
In a Facebook post picked up by Echo, film critic Anton Dolin stresses the value of symbolic gestures:
“Ilya Yashin, as well as Vladimir Kara-Murza and Yulia Navalnaya, have been through what many of us (thank God) could not even imagine in our worst nightmares, but they have kept their minds and their reputations pure. ... I know that a march through Berlin won't end the war, topple Putin or appeal to his conscience. ... Symbolic gestures don't change history, but they become important pages in it. And in the long run, with due persistence and consistency, they have a cumulative effect.”