Political life is often full of paradoxes, particularly among the Russian opposition. Moscow liberals, while presenting themselves as advocates of reform, are frequently reluctant to abandon the empire's colonial legacy. Recent developments have highlighted a fundamental conflict between Russian liberals in exile and representatives of indigenous peoples over the future of Russia.
On October 1, 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 2621, establishing a dialogue platform for Russia's democratic forces in exile. Participants are allowed to attend PACE committee meetings, but without voting rights. Requirements include unconditional recognition of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, support for regime change in Russia, acknowledgment of the territorial integrity of Georgia and Moldova, support for a special tribunal on aggression against Ukraine, and the payment of reparations.
A further key condition bans participants from working for Russia’s government or occupation administrations after 2014. The platform reserves a third of its seats for indigenous peoples, reflecting their share of Russia’s population—a measure that sparked indignation among some Russian liberal circles. Leading figures such as Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Garry Kasparov joined the platform, while organizations like Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation were excluded for refusing to acknowledge Russian aggression against Ukraine.
PACE’s decision triggered heated debate. Some Moscow liberals strongly opposed any division of the country along national lines and criticized moves toward decolonization. In contrast, representatives of indigenous and colonized peoples insist on dissolving the empire, arguing that mere regime change cannot resolve deep-rooted issues of oppression.
This dispute highlights a deep rift within the Russian opposition community. While some advocate preserving unity, others support self-determination and genuine freedom for indigenous peoples. Ukrainian experts, meanwhile, call for a stronger anti-colonial message and greater support for Russia’s national minorities. The fate of the platform, and the broader issue of what to do with Russia’s imperial legacy after Putin, remains unresolved.
