Yulia Navalnaya is the best-known critic of the Russian regime abroad. However, statements about the war in Ukraine have now brought her criticism.
Yulia Navalnaya, Russian opposition figure and widow of dissident Alexei Navalny, has drawn sharp criticism for her statements about the war in Ukraine.
In an interview published on Thursday in the weekly newspaper “Zeit”, she expressed skepticism about the possible success of the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk. “There are two sides to this,” she said. On the one hand, the Ukrainians would see the invasion as a sign of weakness for Kremlin leader Putin. On the other hand, people in Russia would be outraged: “This brings people together, which in turn benefits propaganda.”
When asked whether it was right to supply weapons to Ukraine, Navalnaya replied: “It’s difficult to say.” The bombs delivered would also hit Russians, even though the war was ordered by Putin. She demanded that all Russian troops be withdrawn from Ukraine.
Video | Russian soldiers refuse to follow orders
Navalnaya also resisted blaming the Russian population for the war of aggression. “Of course,” ordinary Russians would also fight in Ukraine, “but it’s his war,” said the 48-year-old, referring to Putin. She doesn’t believe polls that show around three quarters of Russians support the war.
Navalnaya condemned Russian war crimes in Ukraine as “terrible,” but downplayed it: “There are criminals in every country.” Although there are people who would go to war voluntarily, there are many prisoners who have been convicted of murder. In fact, Russia began recruiting soldiers in prisons early after the war began. Ukraine has also been doing this since last May, but has prevented serious criminals from volunteering. According to Ukrainian authorities, around 3,800 prisoners were reported to have reported for service in the Ukrainian army by the end of July.
Navalnaya’s statements in the “Zeit” interview sparked some outrage. Historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk judged that the interview showed a Russian opposition figure “who offers little reason for hope.”
The CDU defense politician Roderich Kiesewetter explained on “It’s not just Putin’s war, but obviously Russia’s war.” Kiesewetter also told the “Bild” newspaper: “She obviously has no understanding of Ukraine’s legitimate right to self-defense, which clearly enables and supports Ukraine’s military offensive on Russian territory.”
Swiss
