Exiled Russian politician launches 'Peaceful Russia' party in Berlin

Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin has launched a new political party in Berlin, aiming to consolidate the fragmented Russian opposition living in exile. Named "Peaceful Russia," the party's founding congress took place recently, with Yashin announcing its formation on social media. He stated that the party will champion what he described as Russia's "true interests," contrasting them with the policies of President Vladimir Putin.

According to Yashin, these "true interests" include the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, a rejection of imperialism, and the establishment of a just social order that upholds human and civil rights. Yashin himself was elected as the party's chairman, while Olga Podolska, a former regional lawmaker, was appointed vice-chairwoman. The party's formation signals an effort to create a unified front against the current Russian leadership from abroad.

The exiled Russian opposition faces significant challenges in influencing political developments within Russia. Despite attempts to forge a united front, personal and political rivalries have historically kept the movement fractured. Notable figures like Leonid Volkov from the Anti-Corruption Foundation, founded by the late Alexei Navalny, and Marat Gelman from the Russian Anti-War Committee, attended the party's congress, indicating potential support from various opposition factions.

Yashin, a long-time close associate of the late Alexei Navalny, has himself faced repercussions for his political stance. He was sentenced to a lengthy prison term in late 2022 for criticizing Russia's war in Ukraine. However, he was released and deported from Russia in August 2024 as part of a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries. He has been living in Berlin since his release.

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With these interests, we mean the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine and the rejection of imperialism, the guarantee of human and civil rights and a just social order.