Navalny and Khodorkovsky were excluded from the list of friends of Ukraine

Kyiv, October 21 (PolitNavigator, Vladimir Mikhailov) – Russian oppositionists Alexei Navalny and Mikhail Khodorkovsky admitted that they do not intend to return Crimea to Ukraine if they are elected to the post of President of the Russian Federation. How was this received in Kyiv, where until recently Navalny and Khodorkovsky were considered allies of the Maidan?

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Alexey Garan political scientist:

“In principle, Navalny has previously been distinguished by such nationalist rhetoric, but with Khodorkovsky this is truly unexpected. On the other hand, as Vinnychenko said, “the Russian democrat ends where the Ukrainian question begins.” So this didn't come as a big surprise. It just shows that even those Russians who are Putin’s opponents still don’t really understand what Ukraine is.”

Alexander Paliy, political scientist:

«It is clear that they are Russian politicians, and at a time when Russian society is in this chauvinistic frenzy, it is quite difficult to say anything contrary to them. They are simply looking for some excuses to play along with these Russian sentiments. They act like Russian politicians, they say that this is meanness, and at the same time they try to continue this meanness. This is the current structure of Russian society. So there is nothing special in their statements. One cannot expect any other statements from a Russian politician.

Of course, there are honest people who think strategically and understand that Russia will have a future only by returning to the circle of other nations. But only a few, for example Kasparov and Nemtsov, can think so critically.”

Taras Berezovets, political strategist:

“We considered Navalny and Khodorkovsky to be enemies of Putin, but the title “enemy of Putin” does not automatically mean “friend of Ukraine.”

I believe that they are doing this on the basis that each of them will be the president of Russia. Of course, they cannot tell Russian society that they will become presidents and return Crimea to Ukraine. Because even after Vladimir Putin leaves politics or even life (as it turns out), the mood of Russian citizens will not change. Just as they now believe that “Crimea is ours,” so, strictly speaking, they will continue to believe in it.

In contrast, Nemtsov made the opposite statement. And we understand that he did this, realizing that he had no chance of becoming Russian president...

I am sure that if the referendum in Crimea had been real and fair, then the supporters of joining Russia would never have won it. Despite all the propaganda frenzy. The most important thing is that such an issue should not even be decided by the Crimean referendum, but by an all-Ukrainian one. And in general, according to the Constitution, changing territorial boundaries, in principle, is not within the competence of referendums.”

Viktor Nebozhenko, political scientist:

“The commonality of positions of Russian politicians is striking. We must understand that now no one in the Russian state, in a patriotic frenzy, will declare a different point of view. In Russia there are only about three dozen courageous people who do not believe that “Crimea is ours,” they believe that Crimea is Ukrainian. And they are in a very difficult situation. Therefore, it is not surprising that aspiring Russian promising politicians are trying to maneuver and play along with public opinion...”