A Frank Conversation with Grigory Yavlinsky

Grigory Yavlinsky’s website, 27.07.2026

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Are there elections in Russia today that fundamentally change power? No, no such democratic institution exists in our country any more. That is how the reforms were carried out in the 1990s.

Do people in Russia have a choice today? Yes, such a choice still exists for now. Whether everything stays as it is now, or whether the country’s leadership starts seeking ways towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic process, depends on how people actually vote. It is precisely so that people can speak out in favour of such a new policy that Yabloko is taking part in the elections in September 2026.

In the current circumstances, our participation gives people a unique opportunity — to speak out in favour of signing a ceasefire agreement and seeking a diplomatic solution. And this is entirely official, within the framework of existing legislation. Regardless of what formal result is ultimately announced, the real results of the vote — that is, people’s real wishes and moods — will become known to those who make the key political decisions at the very top, and this will inevitably influence future policy and the course of events.

Certainly, just as in all previous elections, people will be confused and misled. There have already been [such presidential candidates] as Lebed, and Prokhorov, and Sobchak, and the Beer-Lovers’ political party and the Pensioners’ Party. And now they will try again to foist some [other variant of the] New People party or something of the sort on us.

But it is obvious to everyone that today there is only one legal political structure in Russia offering a real alternative to what is happening. And that is Yabloko. Any other choice, or not voting at all, will be counted by those in power as support for current policy.

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Grigory Yavlinsky spoke about why Yabloko is taking part in the elections, and why voting this autumn could prove a critically important chance for change, in a series of conversations titled A Frank Conversation. The full interview is in the video and the transcript in Russian is here.