Putin and his cronies, as well as Biden and an array of Kremlin foes and the odd pop singer, make up most discussion on Russia’s social media sites.
Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, attends the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 16, 2024, the day it was announced Navalny was dead.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
The quick rise of Yulia Navalnaya in Russian politics closely mirrors the story of other female politicians who gain prominence after their husbands or fathers are no longer able to lead.
Most of Vladimir Putin’s opponents are either dead, in jail or in exile. But it might just be ordinary people who can take over the battle for democracy in Russia.
Women lay flowers to pay last respects to Alexei Navalny at a monument in Moscow on Feb. 20, 2024.
(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Alexei Navalny’s successors — not western leaders — are best placed to carry on the fight for Russia’s future. But they’ll only succeed if Navalny’s cause isn’t seen as anchored to western ideals.
Sergei Guriev, one of the main minds behind western sanctions on Russia, is adamant about their restraining power on the Kremlin.
Florian David/AFP
One of the main minds behind sanctions on Russia, Russian economist and political refugee Sergei Guriev is adamant about their restraining power on the Kremlin.
Associate Professor of International Relations and National Security Studies and Graduate Program Director for National Security Studies, Park University