Ukraine has previously accused some Russian opposition figures of echoing Putin’s imperialist views — particularly by hesitating to fully condemn Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
From: Politico BY ELENA GIORDANO AND SEB STARCEVIC
Russia can only break free from Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian grip if Ukraine is saved from his all-out invasion, exiled Russian opposition leaders told the European Parliament on Thursday.
“If you want to help the democratic movement in Russia, please save Ukraine from Putin!” opposition politician and former political prisoner Ilya Yashin urged EU lawmakers at a session in Brussels.
“Putin’s victory in Ukraine would only strengthen his regime, make him more aggressive and angrier,” Yashin warned. “It would create additional danger for Europe … he will not be satisfied with just having Ukraine.”
Yashin was joined in Brussels by Yulia Navalnaya — the widow of Alexei Navalny, who died in an Arctic prison in 2024 — and Russian-British journalist and former political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza. Together, they urged the EU to increase support for Ukraine and deepen collaboration with the Russian opposition.
The relationship between Ukraine and the Russian opposition has often been strainedover the years. Ukraine has previously accused some opposition figures, including members of Navalny’s circle, of echoing Putin’s imperialist views — particularly by hesitating to fully condemn Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, some members of the Russian opposition have adopted a clearer and stronger position in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“Putin puts in prison, tortures, kills political opponents … inflates neighboring countries, commits horrible crimes and walks free,” Navalnaya told members of the European Parliament. “Why have we failed to put a stop to his activities? Why have you failed? I think it’s because we have not joined our efforts yet,” she said.
Voice of Ukraine 