Russian politician Nadezhdin: Kremlin drew new 'red line' on war criticism during elections

Boris Nadezhdin, a Russian opposition politician who has fled to France, has identified a new red line drawn by the Kremlin: criticizing the war during an election campaign. Nadezhdin, who previously avoided crossing Kremlin red lines by not personally criticizing President Vladimir Putin and not accepting foreign government funding, stated that these boundaries have shifted.

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The first red line is not to criticize Putin personally. And the second red line is not to receive any support from foreign governments. I have never crossed these lines. But these lines have changed.

In an interview with CNN, Nadezhdin explained that while the previous restrictions remain, the new prohibition is on criticizing the war while running for office. He noted that he and the Yabloko party had begun to do just that. He also mentioned that receiving funds from foreign governments continues to be a red line, citing it as a past criticism leveled against the Yabloko party.

Nadezhdin had previously spoken about the Kremlin's red lines in December, stating he had never crossed them. He expressed his belief that he had played by the rules to remain safe in Russia for as long as possible. However, he felt the red lines had moved, leading to his departure.

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You cannot run in elections and criticize the war. As I and the Yabloko party began to do.

The article notes that since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, political pluralism in the country has diminished. Critics of the war have faced imprisonment, exile, or death. Nadezhdin's calls for peace and his moderate criticism of the ongoing "special military operation" were apparently no longer tolerated.

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I stayed in Russia as long as I could. Until the last moment, I tried not to cross any red lines, but it seems the red lines have shifted.