Statement by the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO, 19.03.2014

The fact that Vladimir Putin signed an international agreement on accedence of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to the Russian Federation has determined Russia’s nearest perspective: international isolation and growth of totalitarian repressive tendencies in the policies of the ruling regime.

The fear of the Orange Revolution phantom which waves from time to time to the Russian elite from this or that country pushes Russia’s authorities to radical preemptive steps targeted at self-preservation.

The regime has already passed from inciting hatred to everything Western to the implementation of the imperial project manifest in the hostile takeover of the former territories of the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire.

Revival of imperial complexes and confrontation with the West are considered as the most important means for mobilization of the Russian society for the unconditional support of the regime.

In pursuing this goal the regime is consciously trying to transform Russia into a rogue state openly violating international law, the UN Charter – the entire world order established after World War II.

Apparently, the experience of North Korea, Cuba and other countries teaches our authoritarian elite that it will be easier for it to maintain its dominance in the country in the international isolation. The elite realizes that together with its dominance it will lose all the wealth accumulated during its reign.

Therefore, aggressive propaganda of the official media and the imperial euphoria are as always accompanied by suppression of the opposition, search for the enemy, intolerance to any opinions differing from the official opinion on Ukraine and Crimea.

All those having a dissenting opinion on the annexation of Crimea – mass media, parties, social movements, groups and opinion leaders – have been already labelled “traitors”. We are just a small step away from the return of reprisals and the totalitarian regime.

The political course chosen by the Russian elite headed by Vladimir Putin is extremely dangerous for our country, its economy, statehood and, in the end, to the elite itself. In the 21st century, this policy inevitably leads to a national catastrophe.

The experience of the 20th century shows that all totalitarian aggressors without exception end their adventurism in collapse sooner or later.

The YABLOKO party declares its opposition to the aggressive neo-imperial policy of Vladimir Putin. Today the goal declared by us is obvious and urgent more than ever: dismantling of the present Russian criminal-oligarchic regime by nonviolent, peaceful and constitutional means.

Sergei Mitrokhin,

Chair of the YABLOKO party