Grigory Yavlinsky’s interview to Zhivoi Gvozd YouTube channel, 6.08.2024

We should not judge superficially about deep and contradictory political meanings of the prisoner exchange. Let us note the most important thing: this exchange literally saved several lives at once. And one more thing: if such a difficult and ambiguous process is possible, during which Moscow and Washington negotiated directly, then it means that with the slightest understanding of the essence of today and the hopelessness of what is happening, it is possible to negotiate on saving the lives of many thousands of people, that is, on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

The exchange showed that even in the current conditions of the most severe confrontation, agreements on preserving lives and easing the fate of people are possible. To reach a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, a dialogue is needed, including that between Moscow and Washington. Especially keeping in mind that the special military operation is initially a conflict between Russia and the West on the territory of Ukraine.

This whole story with the exchange indicates that a direct dialogue between the Kremlin and the White House is possible. Today, not only Nobel laureates and leaders of religious denominations are talking about the need for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but also the leaders of many countries – Turkey, Brazil, India, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia… Because it is already obvious that a ceasefire is inevitable, and that it is better to agree on it as soon as possible, since only after that will it be possible to discuss all the other parameters of any future agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been already touching on this topic in his recent speeches.

So maybe it is time to stop killing people and destructing their lives? Maybe we shouldn’t wait for the US elections or for some other political upheaval? People who die every day have no time to wait. People need a ceasefire right now. Just like political prisoners, prisoners of conscience, they need to be released right now, every day in prison could be their last day.

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Grigory Yavlinsky spoke on the air of Zhivoi Gvozd about the extradition of Russian political prisoners to the West, about how this could contribute to a ceasefire, and about the dangers of economic growth without development.