Decision by the Yabloko Federal Political Committee, adopted on 29.04.2025, published on 6.05.2025

Photo by Yevgeny Razumny, Kommersant

80 years of Victory in World War II is a special anniversary. Almost all the veterans who survived the war and understood, unlike the current generation of politicians, the full horror of war, have passed away. The international order that emerged after 1945 is over.

The influence of populism and right-wing radicalism, supported by modern information technologies and social networks, is growing in different parts of the world.

Tendencies towards state and national isolation are increasingly becoming an alternative to globalisation and integration, and the aspirations of leading powers for imperial dominance are becoming increasingly evident.

Humanity is facing a real threat of a new world war, as never before in the past 80 years. The world war has not yet begun only because of the restraining factor – the fear of a global nuclear catastrophe. However, if this factor does not work at some point, it will lead to a global catastrophe.

Therefore, the current anniversary of the Victory is not only a day of remembrance. This is a milestone that requires, for the sake of our future, an understanding of the history of the entire 20th century and its world wars, an understanding of the lessons of war and Victory. Lessons necessary to preserve humanity, to protect the most important human right – the right to life.

One of the most important lessons of world wars is that the slide into war occurs unnoticed by society and understanding comes when it is already too late.

Today, there are all the prerequisites for the beginning of a world war, including the extreme professional limitations and helplessness of politicians, and the ineffectiveness of diplomacy.

The world is getting used to war, politicians see it as a means of maintaining power, businesses view the growth of military orders as an effective means of development, and social media audiences enjoy virtual unity with “friends” and war with “foes”.

It is time to recognise the need to stop the somnambulistic movement of the world’s states toward something that can no longer be corrected.

We must remember the mistakes of the 20th century politicians who gave rise to the “Versailles syndrome”. The goal of politics at all levels should be prevention of loss of life, and the creation of conditions for building a common future in Europe and the world, rather than national humiliation and collective punishment.

We call on politicians, public figures, the military, entrepreneurs, and all citizens to think about the future of our world, not to obscure it with momentary circumstances, emotions, selfish and simply personal interests.

We urge you to make the preservation of humanity and the value of every human life a priority underlying any political action, any decision.

The main thing that Victory left us with is peace and life. The meaning of Victory Day is celebration and continuation of life.

In the year of the 80th anniversary of Victory, we emphasise once again: the main priority is the lives of people and the preservation of peace!

Grigory Yavlinsky,

Chairman of the Yabloko Federal Political Committee