Russian opposition figure Kara-Murza, after his release, describes Western sanctions as 'unjust'
Photo: Russian opposition figures Vladimir Kara-Murza, Andrei Pivovarov, and Ilya Yashin (x.com/tvrain)
Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was released following a prisoner exchange between Russia and the West, has complained about the sanctions against Russia, Kara-Murza's statement is cited by The Bell.
During a press conference, Kara-Murza reminded that he previously represented Russia on the international stage.
In particular, he worked on promoting Magnitsky laws in several countries (initiatives that impose sanctions on Russian officials linked to the death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky).
The opposition figure complained that Western sanctions are often directed not against the regime of Vladimir Putin but against all Russians, which he believes is unfair.
"I see the main focus of my work in the international arena as reminding people in democratic countries that Russia and Putin are not the same. Sanctions should target the criminals and Putin's regime, not the citizens of the Russian Federation based on their nationality," he added.
Russians support Putin
According to social surveys, support for Putin among ordinary Russians remains relatively high even after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Specifically, data from the University of Chicago's Center for Public Opinion Research shows that 65 percent of the Russian population is ready to support Putin in elections.
Additionally, ordinary Russians are not engaging in mass protests against their regime or attempting to overthrow it, despite the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Bucha and other Ukrainian cities.
At the end of June, the European Union approved its 14th package of sanctions against Russia. This package includes restrictions on the supply of liquefied gas.
