Thread by @A_SHEKH0VTS0V

Russian opposition activist Alexey #Navalny wrote a 15-point programme: meduza.io/feature/2023/0… With the exception of a few disputable arguments, the programme is quite decent and is a good foundation for further discussions with progressive pro-Western Russians. A thread ->

The most important point: Navalny unequivocally acknowledges the internationally recognised borders of #Ukraine (1991). Which clearly implies the need for restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty over #Crimea and all other currently occupied/annexed territories of Ukraine. 2/10

Navalny explicitly opposes #Russia's war against Ukraine, and - unlike many others in the so-called Russian "liberal camp" - does not seek to portray Russian people as victims of "the #Putin war" on a par with Ukrainians. 3/10

He does mention "meaningless" deaths of thousands of Russian soldiers, but that's fair: their deaths are indeed ultimately meaningless. 4/10

Interestingly, Navalny indirectly admits that Russian corruption plays an important role in Russia's journey to the military defeat. I've been arguing this for months now: 5/10

More specifically, Navalny writes: "The combination 'aggressive war + corruption + mediocrity of generals + weak economy + heroism and high morale of defenders' results only in the [Russian] defeat". More corruption in Russia please! 6/10

Insightfully, Navalny points out that all the #Kremlin talk about "negotiations" and "ceasefire" are deceitful and hypocritical. -- A good reminder for Western "pacifists"! 7/10

What needs to be done: (1) let Ukraine live and develop as its people want; (2) withdraw all Russian troops from Ukraine's territory (1991); (3) offer reparations to Ukraine; (4) investigate war crimes in cooperation with international institutions. 8/10

And this is how Navalny sees Russia's future: (1) dismantling of the Putin regime, "ideally through general free elections and convening of the constitutional assembly"; (2) parliamentary republic; (3) part of #Europe. 9/10

Again, I feel that some Navalny's arguments in the programme are disputable but his programme nevertheless sets the right tone for further discussions. 10/10