Khodorkovsky Urges Europe to Offer Putin's Elite a Way Out
Kremlin critic and former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky told a conference in Brussels that Europe should give influential Russians an alternative to backing Putin. He argued this could help split the president's inner circle.
European countries should offer influential members of Russia's elite an alternative to supporting President Vladimir Putin, in order to encourage a split in his inner circle. This was said on Tuesday, 4 November, in Brussels by Kremlin critic and former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky. He was speaking at a conference of the Russian Anti-War Committee, devoted to scenarios for ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
Why the elite stays loyal
Asked whether Putin could be removed from office by internal forces, Khodorkovsky pointed to the system the Russian leader has built to guarantee his own security. He also noted that influential people in Russia stay close to Putin because they are not convinced their position would improve without him.
"If we are talking about a split in the elite, then we need to show options for personal escape," Khodorkovsky said. At the conference he did not specify the conditions of such an exit route.
Earlier statements
Khodorkovsky has previously said that for those who cooperated with the regime, a single statement of non-support is not enough. As examples he cited donations to Ukraine and giving testimony to investigators about the regime's crimes.
About the conference
The Russian Anti-War Committee's two-day conference is taking place in Brussels on 3–4 November. Its programme also includes discussions on sanctions, nuclear risks and the possibility of putting Putin on trial.
