The only way out is to reach a ceasefire agreement

Nikolai Rybakov’s Telegram channel. 12.04.2023

Photo: Military Commissariat / Photo by Dmitry Lebedev, Kommersant

The State Duma and the Federation Council adopted a bill tightening the rules for military conscription and illegally restricting the constitutional rights of citizens.

Amendments to the law “On military duty and military service” were adopted by the State Duma unanimously – without objections from the so-called “parliamentary opposition”.

The law virtually introduces the norms of martial law without its announcement. The very fact of sending a call-up paper and entering a person into a certain register will be the basis for restricting the constitutional property rights of citizens and the right to freedom of movement, and opens up opportunities for unlimited arbitrariness.

The adopted law demonstrates the attitude of the authorities towards people, who are regarded as a resource. This is yet another evidence of the state’s refusal to take into account the vital interests of the people, the subordination of the country to military goals. The only strategic solution that would stop this dangerous destructive process is to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

This is what the Yabloko party has been perseveringly and continuously insisting on, from the very beginning of hostilities in Ukraine – this is becoming increasingly obvious every day. The adoption of the law on electronic call-up papers is a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict.

The Yabloko Party has always believed, and time confirms the correctness of our stance, that the only modern form of organising the country’s defence is a contract-based professional army. We are certain that this point of view is shared by the absolute majority of our compatriots.

The adoption of amendments to the law “On military duty and military service” is a giant step towards the archaisation and militarisation of Russian society and the state. The state gives an unambiguous signal to educated and independently thinking young people that they have no place in the country. The draft law, along with other repressive actions of the current government, is aiming to prevent the modernisation of Russia and deprive many generations of Russians of any hope for a decent life.

NIKOLAI RYBAKOV

is Chairman of the Yabloko party, member of the Federal Political Committee of the party, member of the Yabloko Bureau.

Head of the Yabloko Electoral Headquarters