Ukraine angry at Russian opposition’s call for sanctions relief

The strong reaction was caused by Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yasins and Andrez Pivovarovs, who made the call in the first press conference and interviews after the release.

“For a long time I had no faith in any good Russians,” he admitted on the Telegram platform. Ukraine Member of Parliament Irina Herashchenko was a member of the Ukrainian negotiating team.

“The gut didn’t disappoint,” the deputy said, disagreeing with the opposition’s call for zero release.

Karamurza called on the West to consider whether its sanctions policy against Moscow is “unfair and counterproductive” because it affects ordinary Russian citizens, not just dictator Vladimir Putin and his clique.

Among those who responded was Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

“The common goal of all Russians should be to liberate Russia from the crazy dictator Putin and his regime, not to oppose sanctions,” the official said.

“Sanctions should be strengthened only if Russia continues its armed aggression. Sanctions are a factor that constrains the regime’s military machine,” Yermak stressed.

Ukrainian political analysts have expressed concern that prominent Russian dissidents will have the opportunity to influence Western politics, creating tensions with Kiev’s position.

“It is difficult to call for tougher sanctions when the symbol of Russian liberalism directly calls for relief for ‘ordinary Russians’,” said Maria Zholkina, a researcher at the London School of Economics.

Yassin’s call for Ukraine to start peace talks also sparked anger.

“It is necessary to sit at the negotiating table,” Yassin said in an interview with the “Dozhdj” TV channel.

“I understand the frustration of Ukrainians that this issue is being raised in this way, but … the situation has reached a stalemate, a bloody stalemate, and people are dying on both sides,” Yashin said.

In response to Ukraine’s strong reaction, Yassin posted a two-hour video on YouTube the next day, reiterating his opposition to Russia’s “criminal and brutal” invasion of Ukraine.

“I spent two years telling the truth about the war in Ukraine,” he told Ukrainians. “I am not your enemy.”

Responding to the criticism, Karamurza told the BBC: “I need more information.”

He also acknowledged that Russian society shared responsibility “for what the Putin regime has done.”

“Putin must not be allowed to win this war,” Kara-Murza said. “Ukraine must win, and to achieve that it will need more support from the West.”