Kremlin opponent Khodorkovsky sees these three possibilities for Russia’s future Switzerland describes planned Israeli apartments in Palestinian territories as “illegal”

According to Russian anti-Kremlin Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the West plays a central role in Russia’s future. Putin will not live forever – and every government after him depends on an end to sanctions. “The end of Putin will come sooner rather than later,” Khodorkovsky said in an interview with Handelsblatt. He therefore sees three possibilities for Russia’s future.

In a first scenario the West would support those who wanted to split or crush Russia. However, according to Khodorkovsky, this is a dangerous path. “Because the breakup of Russia would make people’s lives worse, and then a new dictator would soon be found who would allay the fears of the people and promise to return Russia to its old strength.” According to Khodorkovsky, an even more aggressive Russia could emerge.

In a second scenario the West would be looking for a “good” Tsar. But that, too, could end badly, according to Khodorkovsky. For even the ‘good tsar’ has to defend his country against enemies from outside.

Khodorvsky approved the third scenario: the way of a complete reconstruction and the development towards a parliamentary and federalist model – as in Germany. Such a system can only be built with the regions: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg. “There are strong political forces there,” Khodorkovsky said. “And the Russian national patriots, the groups that Putin relies on, have strength.” And then there is the democratic opposition. “But it can only make a difference if it can come to terms with the armed forces.” He has been trying to convince people of this model for 25 years. “After all, the idea has now reached the mainstream in Russia’s educated, big cities,” Khodorkovsky said in the interview.

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According to the financial magazine Forbes, Khodorvsky was once the richest Russian oligarch. In 2013, at the peak of his career, he was worth $16 billion. The ex-head of the now dismantled oil company Yukos was convicted after criticizing Putin and spent several years in a prison camp. Today he lives in London.

He told Handelsblatt that he did not believe in a peace solution for Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “As long as the Putin regime is in power, the war will not end,” Khodorkovsky said. “Putin struggled to win an election four times. Four times in 20 years he solved it with a war.” He was forced to fight a war whether he wanted to or not.

Khodorkovsky described Russian society as deeply divided over the war in Ukraine. “I think 30 percent are clearly in favor of the war and 20 percent against. The other 50 percent support the government, regardless of whether it continues to wage war or suddenly starts negotiations,” said Khodorkovsky. In the presidential elections in March next year, Putin must showing a victory in war – “although the definition of ‘victory’ may differ”.

He encouraged Western countries to poach Russian engineers and other professionals and make it easier for them to settle in Western countries to weaken Russia. (t-online/aj)