Brussels – In a time of heightened repression in Russia, three prominent opposition figures made a compelling appeal to the European Union, urging it to offer more substantial support to those resisting the current regime.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, alongside fellow activists Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin, delivered their message during a joint session of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Human Rights.

On June 5, 2023, Navalnaya emphasized the need for the EU to transition from declarative statements to actionable support for Russian civil society.

She specifically questioned the allocation of €5.5 million to Radio Free Europe, an American media entity, highlighting the absence of similar funding directed towards Russian media operating in exile.

“Why are they not supported?” she asked, referencing several Russian newspapers struggling to thrive outside their homeland while continuing to engage a Russian-speaking audience.

Navalnaya asserted that millions of Russians oppose the war in Ukraine and that timely support is crucial for these voices to emerge and be heard.

She advocated for initiatives that keep the issue of political prisoners at the forefront, extend aid to human rights defenders, facilitate technological solutions such as virtual private networks (VPNs), and enhance connections with individuals organizing within Russia.

"Small concrete projects are needed, not just big proclamations," she remarked.

Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has recently been released after two years in detention, corroborated the alarming figure of over 3,000 political prisoners currently incarcerated in Russia, primarily for dissent against the war.

He stressed the importance of centering discussions on humanitarian issues during diplomatic negotiations.

“Prisoners, civilian victims, and deported children must become a priority in the talks,” he stated.

Kara-Murza also called for a well-defined plan preparing for a post-Putin Russia, emphasizing the need to learn from past mistakes regarding the Soviet legacy.

“We need a roadmap for the post-Putin period and a plan to support the construction of the rule of law,” he explained.

Ilya Yashin, who remains imprisoned for his anti-war activities, highlighted the necessity for Europe to support Russia’s internal opposition in conjunction with its support for Ukraine.

He asserted that military successes by Putin diminish the chances for a peaceful democratic transition within Russia.

Yashin also mentioned a development from the Istanbul negotiating summit that referred to the potential exchange of political prisoners between Russia and Ukraine for the first time.

He interpreted this as a recognition by Putin of the existence of political prisoners, urging the EU to press this issue further.

The assembled Members of Parliament (MEPs) expressed strong emotional support for the initiative.

Some, including Michael Gahler of the European People’s Party (EPP), remarked on Russia’s potential for democratic governance, asserting, “Russia is not genetically authoritarian.” Others, like José Sánchez Amor of the Socialists and Democrats Group, cautioned against neglecting the Russian agenda in the post-war landscape.

A prevailing sentiment acknowledged that constructive European support could be pivotal in fostering Russian democracy, rather than constructing it from abroad.

Additionally, a proposal emerged to establish a structured dialogue between the EU and the Russian democratic opposition, aiming to consolidate political and practical support and to proactively prepare for impending political changes.