Alexei Navalny – Russia is not Putin. We declare an action of civil disobedience

Dear friends.

There is a war going on. Putin attacked Ukraine. Putin threatens with nuclear weapons. And Putin is also trying to make everyone think that Russia attacked Ukraine, that is, all of us.

Alexei Navalny, who is now in prison, has always asked us to look at the big picture of what is happening, to emerge from the flow of news and see a broader perspective. The big picture is that the tragedy of the fratricidal war against Ukraine will determine the future of Europe for decades to come, just as the aftermath of the tragedy of World War II determined world politics for generations.

It is these days that the place of Russia in this future, in the textbooks of the history of the 21st century, is being decided. If you let everything take its course, it will be the place of an aggressor country, a pariah country. A country that will bear responsibility for its crimes for generations. But the course of history can still be changed. This can only be done by you and me.

Vladimir Putin has decided on his place in history – he will enter it as an international criminal, terrorist and murderer. He wants to impose this choice on all Russians, to drag us all with him to the bottom of shame. But Putin is not Russia. We didn’t choose him. He does not represent us. For many years, we, the Navalny team, have been fighting against Putin; investigated the corruption of Putin himself and his entourage, fought him in the elections, went to protest rallies throughout the country. And now we do not want to be with him in the same boat that is sinking.

We call on all Russians to civil disobedience. For the future of our country, but also for the future of each of us personally. In a few years, today’s children will ask their parents: “Mom, dad, what were you doing when Putin started the war? You didn’t support it, did you? So tell me it’s true?” Think about it right now. Think about how you will answer the children.

The point of civil disobedience is to show that Putin is not waging war on our behalf. We are against Putin and against the war. Those who disagree with Putin in Russia are in the majority. And everyone can do something. There is no single course of action for all, but there is a universal principle: do not be silent, do not be indifferent. And don’t be afraid. Remember: the more of us, the less risk for everyone. And do not say: “I am a simple person, what can I do?” You can. There are always options. Time to think, and time to fight Putin.

If you are in the military, do not follow criminal orders. Remember that your life means nothing to Putin. If you work for the state and can refuse it, refuse. If you have friends who believe in propaganda, talk to them and convince them. If you have important information, please send it to us so that we can convey it to everyone: navalnybox@protonmail.com. Ready to publicly speak out on social networks – speak out. Ready to go to rallies – go out. We will provide informational support for any rallies and compensate fines. Can support support our work financially. Everyone will choose for himself how to act, but everyone must do at least something, and then these individual actions will add up to a collective refusal to support the criminal war that Putin allegedly unleashed on our behalf.

Do not be silent. Resist. Don’t help Putin. For the sake of our future, we must show the whole world that Putin is not Russia.