By Anjali Nayak
In a country in which most critics of Vladimir Putin end up jailed, exiled, or dead, Boris Nadezhedin proclaims that “[he] is ready for everything,”
Nadezhdin, a veteran politician and commentator, supports a platform bent on deterring Putin’s effort for greater authoritarianism. He runs as a heavy critic of the war in Ukraine, going as far to label the full-scale invasion of Ukraine Putin’s “fatal mistake”—a dangerous statement where talk of the invasion is so restricted that, legally, he is required to call the war a “special military operation.” Russian elections are often mired in irregularities and claims of fraud, so it is extremely difficult for challengers to get their names onto a ballot at any level. Critics say Russia’s elections are mostly just for show.
As bleak as free thought in Russia might be, the war has become extremely unpopular within Russians for one specific reason—increasing inflation and cost of living. Inflation in Russia is at 7.4%, slightly higher than the global inflation rate of 7%. Every single industry in Russia has increased in price.
Putin’s main fault may be found in his desire to project a global image. He made diplomatic visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates earlier this month, after appearing to have curbed his international travel after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest for allegedly taking Ukrainian children to Russia.
Putin has told his people their future lies in partnership with China, which has become one of Russia’s key trading partners and political allies since the war started. U.S. intelligence has also suggested China is providing crucial support for the war in Ukraine.
Nadezhdin, who leans progressive but has been endorsed by a more right-centrist party, says many Russians are resistant, with a long-standing fear of growing Chinese influence. Russia has historically been Europe-oriented, Nadezhdin says, and needs to stay that way, or risk becoming China’s “vassal” state — heavily economically dependent on Beijing. “We should return to the European community,” Nadezhdin said.