Zhivoi Gvozd YouTube channel, 20.01.2026

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It is only possible to seriously discuss an immediate ceasefire agreement if one can see a perspective for how Russia, Ukraine and Europe will continue to build their relationships. Russia can only be preserved if there is a vision of safe and positive development for the Russian state for decades to come. Ukraine’s statehood and sovereignty can only be preserved if there is an understanding of its future structure — where the country will be heading in fundamentally different geopolitical conditions in the coming years.

Moreover, this also concerns Europe as a whole. The era of the post-war world order, which lasted 80 years, has come to an end. Since there is no understanding of the root causes of what is happening and its consequences, there is no understanding of the future either. Therefore, chaos has arrived. To overcome this chaos, a vision of the future is necessary, an idea of the path to follow, and a formulation of the goal to be achieved. Unfortunately, current political leaders, in virtually all countries, have no vision of the future and live only for today.

One could talk endlessly about the details of current political events. These events are striking, sometimes senseless, and sometimes shocking. This is the work of political scientists, analysts, journalists and historians. All the more so because politics, particularly international politics, is increasingly turning into chaos — principles, values, meanings and vision of the future have disappeared. Therefore, the main task of modern Russian opposition politicians must be to work towards the future — to seek answers to the questions of where to go and what to strive for. In the case of Russia, Ukraine and Europe, such a perspective is clear: firstly, this is a state structure in which the most important thing is people — their life, freedom, opportunities, creativity, perspective, and dignity; secondly, this is a common European space from Lisbon to Vladivostok with an efficient modern economy and a new security architecture. This is what we must move towards. This is what we must work on.

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Grigory Yavlinsky spoke about why it is impossible to truly end the war without a vision of the future on the YouTube channel Zhivoi Gvozd (Living Nail) on 17 January, 2026.