Congratulations from Nikolai Rybakov, Grigory Yavlinsky, and St.Petersburg Yabloko, 28.07.2025

Photo: Alexander Shishlov / Photo from the Yabloko Press Service

On 28 July, Alexander Shishlov, Coordinator of the Yabloko party’s Federal Political Committee and leader of the Yabloko faction in the St Petersburg Legislative Assembly, celebrates his 70th birthday. He receives warm congratulations from party Chairman Nikolai Rybakov, Chairman of the Federal Political Committee Grigory Yavlinsky, and the St.Petersburg branch of the party.

Dear Alexander Vladimirovich,

On behalf of all Yabloko members, I congratulate you on this milestone birthday – your 70th!

Throughout your years in politics, human rights, democracy and justice have been the very essence of your life’s work. Your service in the Russian and St.Petersburg parliaments, PACE, as St Petersburg’s Ombudsman, and within the Yabloko party represents a genuine struggle for human dignity in our country and for Russia’s European humanistic path of development.

But it is not about positions or titles. What matters most are your personal qualities: exceptional honesty and integrity, inner resilience and a remarkable ability to remain true to yourself in any circumstances. You have the courage to speak what you believe is right, even when it is inconvenient. You support those facing difficulties when there is no political gain to be had. This is precisely why you command respect not only from allies, but from opponents too.

Alexander Vladimirovich, your life exemplifies how one can follow their path with dignity whilst staying true to their convictions. Thank you for this.

I wish you robust health, peace, and, of course, new achievements to come!

Happy birthday!

Nikolai Rybakov,

Yabloko Chairman

***

Dear Alexander Vladimirovich,

I congratulate you wholeheartedly on your birthday!

We have worked together for many years, weathered countless challenges, and throughout it all we have always understood that what matters most to us is our concern for our country’s future, our political convictions, and our commitment to Yabloko’s mission.

It means everything to us that you – a person with clear moral principles, with firm understanding of good and evil, of acceptable and unacceptable steps towards our goals – have been with Yabloko for more than a quarter century.

Your experience in Russian and international politics is invaluable, and I am confident it will continue to serve us well.

I wish you health, strength, and productive and meticulous work that is so needed today.

With respect,

Grigory Yavlinsky

***

Dear Alexander Vladimirovich,

On behalf of the St.Petersburg branch of the Yabloko party, I warmly congratulate you on this wonderful milestone – your 70th birthday!

Your entire political life stands as a shining example of devotion to democratic ideals, tireless defence of fundamental human rights, and the fight for justice.

A scholar and graduate of the Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty of Leningrad University, candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, and academic institute researcher, during perestroika you became one of the leading figures in Leningrad’s democratic movement. You campaigned for the nomination of Academician Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov as a people’s deputy of the USSR, participated in establishing the Leningrad Popular Front, and through this alone secured your place in the political history of our city and country. In 1990, you were deservedly elected to the first democratic Leningrad Soviet [Leningrad city parliament], becoming one of its leaders.

Your subsequent work as a State Duma deputy, diplomat, Human Rights Commissioner for St.Petersburg, and member of the St.Petersburg Legislative Assembly, along with your initiatives in educational reform, international security, and ensuring governmental transparency, have always resonated with citizens and party colleagues alike. You are not only a leader, but a mentor to many Yabloko members.

Since Yabloko’s founding in 1993, you have remained faithful to the party.

An experienced and wise politician, gifted diplomat, true human rights defender, and above all, a steadfast comrade upon whom party colleagues can always rely, you are one of St.Petersburg Yabloko’s most respected members.

Your resilience, professionalism and loyalty to principles inspire us all, whilst your work consistently exemplifies wisdom, precision and humanitarianism.

On this momentous day, we wish you and your loved ones robust health, prosperity, boundless energy and new achievements. Be happy!

Olga Tsepilova
Chair of St Petersburg Yabloko