Press Release, 28.03.2023

Photo: Nikolai Rybakov, Yabloko Chairman, Grigory Yavlinsky, Chairman of the Political Committee, and Alexander Shishlov, Coordinator of the Political Committee

On 24 March, a meeting of the Federal Political Committee of Yabloko, a collegial governing body that formulates the party’s position on major political issues between congresses, took place at the central office of Yabloko in Moscow.

The Political Committee states that the article by Grigory Yavlinsky “Just Stop!” (https://eng.yabloko.ru/just-stop/) which was published in the Novaya Rasskaz-Gazeta in early February of this year and caused a wide public outcry both in Russia and abroad, expresses the official political stance of the party.

Grigory Yavlinsky, Chairman of the Federal Political Committee, made a report on the political situation in Russia and the world.

In the course of a long discussion and voting, members of the Federal Political Committee supported a number of decisions that formulated the position of the party in relation to the special military operation, proposed a way out of the current situation and outlined an alternative plan for the development of Russia based on European values and future cooperation with Europe.

“Neither side can and will not have any “victory” in the current confrontation, in the real prevailing military-political circumstances and in the conditions of an interdependent world. In this situation, there is no field for a “zero-sum game”. In a historical perspective, only all together can win or lose, no matter how difficult it may be to admit. Now the main thing is to immediately stop killing of people. A long and extremely difficult road to the creation of a renewed Europe is ahead. A common victory can be only in this.

The Political Committee reaffirms the stance of the Yabloko party on the need to immediately conclude a ceasefire agreement and stop Russian society from being drawn into an endless military conflict.

This is our categorical political demand aimed at saving people’s lives. A ceasefire agreement is the very first and inevitable move towards any first steps to a settlement. The sooner it is done, the less human losses there will be, the sooner normal life will return,” the decision of the Political Committee runs.

The Federal Political Committee of Yabloko also notes that Russia is facing a threat of a civilizational nature, caused by the rejection of the priority of human rights and freedoms and development of the state and society on the basis of European values.

The Federal Political Committee condemns insults and incitement of hatred against Russians based on nationality and citizenship and notes that Yabloko chooses a path with the Russian people.

“We do not intend to leave Russia and will fight for its future,” the document runs.

The complete texts of the Federal Political Committee decisions will be published on the Yabloko party’s web-site later this week after introduction of amendments made during the discussion at the meeting.

Grigory Yavlinsky

is Chairman of the Federal Political Committee of the Russian United Democratic Party Yabloko, Vice President of Liberal International,

PhD in Economics,

Professor of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.