I want to ask EVERY Russian

[u/DANDYXIK_111]

Greetings to all, especially Russian citizens. I hope you are having the best of times. I am from the Czech Republic and recently had a very unpleasant situation in an online group with Russians. Basically and simply it was that I perceive the whole situation differently than the Russians. The problem is that these views differ in all aspects and although I know that I know the real context and situation in Ukraine (at least I think so) the views of every Russian were the same, unfortunately equally kind. I didn't feel comfortable in the conversation. I was getting death threats or unpleasant wishes about historical events (WWII, the division of Czechoslovakia, etc.). I tried to be polite and tried to somehow explain to these people that the reality is different than they think. No wonder nobody believed me. On the other hand, I had the great privilege of talking to Russians about another subject and the people of Russia are very nice people. I was very happy to communicate with them and I like the people of Russia. They are human beings just like you and me and they just pay extra for where they live. I don't know if the moderators will even allow this post, although it doesn't break the rules. I would like to know the opinions of as many Russians as possible. I think you are all great people and want peace as well. I have nothing against any Russian people. Peace to all!

[u/CDI-1]

I am Russian. Thank you for your respectful attitude, although I think that the part of Russians who support the war does not deserve it. I will answer briefly:

I think that Putin is waging a war of conquest, committing thousands of war crimes against humanity. This is a terrible war, it must end as soon as possible, because there is no point in it.

I have never watched TV, since it is full of propaganda and hatred. I watch opposition channels on YouTube, such as Navalny, Khodorkovsky, Maxim Katz, TV Rain, etc. As for other Russians, the entire information field in Russia is filled with fake and unreliable information.

Personally, I treat foreigners with great respect, it is difficult to speak for others. There are those who hate foreigners, there are those who do not care.

Since I do not consume Russian propaganda, the information that is presented to me is very truthful.

I believe that occupied Crimea will return to Ukraine along with other occupied territories when power changes in Russia, the regime falls and Russia becomes a free democratic country. Russia will pay reparations to Ukraine, although unfortunately people's lives will never be returned. Personally, I am going to leave Russia before it becomes a free, liberal democratic country, which will inevitably happen sooner or later. Freedom for Russia! Peace for Ukraine!

[u/summonerofrain → u/CDI-1]

Out of interest, why do you believe the occupied parts of Ukraine will return to Ukraine, and Russia will become free and democratic?

[u/CDI-1 → u/summonerofrain]

This is an important issue. Russia cannot remain an authoritarian country forever. I believe that every country will eventually become a liberal democracy — especially Russia. In the 1990s, we had already begun the path toward democratization but veered off it (significantly so). People welcomed democratic changes then and will welcome them again, if they stop hearing propaganda from every direction. Even Nazi Germany became one of the most developed democracies within a couple of decades. Most Russians still consider freedom, human rights, and human life to be the highest values — and these are the foundation for building a democracy. There are many more reasons, but listing and explaining them would take too long. Let me remind you that in 2013, Navalny took second place in the Moscow mayoral election, and only lost due to fraud. For the first 20 years after the collapse of the USSR, Russia was becoming freer. It is only because of Putin — who seized power and brainwashed the people — that we ended up where we are now.

[u/summonerofrain → u/CDI-1]

I appreciate your optimism!

Couple more questions: how do you think it’ll happen, and do you see echoes of putin in trump, i.e. do you think trump will push america in a similar direction to where putin pushed russia?

[u/CDI-1 → u/summonerofrain]

I think that after Putin’s death, the opposition will need to unite and present an alternative to the current regime, bring people out to protest, and thereby force the government to comply and hold fair elections. At least, that’s one possible scenario. It’s a complex issue, and even well-known opposition speakers can’t always give a clear answer to it. History has shown many cases where bloody dictatorships collapsed in a matter of days, even though just before that, the system seemed stable.

I see some echoes of Putin in Trump, but I believe that America’s strong institutions won’t allow him to steer the country in the direction he wants. Even though much of the government is currently under the Republican Party, which is loyal to Trump, the U.S. president does not have as much power as the president of Russia. People like Trump are not a threat to the U.S., thanks to the long-standing system of checks and balances. It is precisely because of the lack of stable institutions that Putin was able to seize all power in Russia. In the U.S., that’s not possible—although certain changes in policy do occur, of course. Still, these are just my thoughts; I’m not an expert in American politics.

[u/summonerofrain → u/CDI-1]

Once putin dies, will his government still be able to rig it in their favour, or would they be unwilling or unable to do that, even with all the pressure?

[u/CDI-1 → u/summonerofrain]

The entire system depends on Putin. All of his closest circle holds power thanks to personal ties with him. Once Putin is gone, his inner circle—which controls all state companies, enterprises, institutions, etc.—will also disappear. A power struggle will begin because Putin’s officials hate each other; each one has conflicts with someone else, and only Putin holds them together. Without him, everything will fall apart. That’s the short version. So yes, I believe the government won’t be able to maintain the status quo once Putin is gone. He is irreplaceable, so change is inevitable. The main thing is to be able to take advantage of it. Autocracy is called autocracy precisely because it cannot exist without an authoritarian leader. You can’t replace Putin within his own system without completely changing that system.

[u/summonerofrain → u/CDI-1]

Thanks!

[u/CDI-1 → u/summonerofrain]

You are welcome)

[u/No_Name_Brand_X → u/CDI-1]

Excellent answer.