Grigory Yavlinsky blog post, 19.06.2017

Russia has been involved in the Syrian war for almost two years. According to official data, 35 our military men were killed, unofficial [data] give a much higher figure. What our soldiers and officers should give their lives for? For the endless rule of dictator Bashar al-Assad? Where is the national interest of Russia here?

[Russia’s] direct costs of the war has amounted to 100 billion roubles. This money would suffice to build 400 kindergartens, treat 360,000 cancer patients, increase funding for universities and child allowances. One launch of the Caliber cruise missile costs 85 million roubles. This is an average salary of 2,500 teachers or 2,000 doctors. These are the means that lacking for millions of people in our country, that are needed for the development of the economy, that are need to be invested in medicine, education, science, and our children.

Today, the President and the government have no desire and no political will to set up our country. Therefore, I took the initiative – as an economist, a politician and a person – to stop the war in Syria, stop participation of Russia in any military adventures, return the focus of attention of the state and budget funds to Russia.

Activists began collection of signatures for this initiative in several cities – Omsk, Barnaul, and Pskov in May so that to withdraw our country from the war in Syria and allot these funds to Russia’s domestic issues and development of our country –building of good roads, ensuring that hospitals and clinics, schools and libraries are not closed, as well as so that to finally solve the century-old housing problem in our vast country.

Thousands of people have supported this initiative and put their signatures for it for just a few days. It turned out that many people in Russia think the same way. We should just ask their opinion, unite with them and act. This successful experience has shown that people across Russia need a strong, intelligent, and modern state acting in their interests, protecting their rights, hearing and respecting their point of view. It is time for us to act together.

I am grateful to everyone who supported this proposal. It will be the most important part of my programme in the presidential election campaign. My Economic Manifesto and Land-Housing-Roads programme are about this too. This is the essence of my political activity so that to offer people a definite alternative to the present policies that would be close to them and their families and important for millions of Russian citizens. And I will fight for success, for the implementation of this alternative – for the victory and for our country! – to the end, not surrendering or retreating.

Elections are always a battle. The presidential election is a championship battle. And that is why I will participate in these elections – so that to stop the war and develop our country! That is the purpose of my work, that is the meaning of my life.

It is time for us to act together. Today we are able to raise the issue of peace and prosperity of our country as the key issue of the agenda. And tomorrow we will make peace and development the essence and the focus of the state policies. Because now it is time for the state to return home.

Source: https://www.yavlinsky.ru/news/mir/domoi