​A European who lived in Moscow for seven years and returned to the EU after February 24 (but still has part of his family there) talks about how the events of recent months have created problems in Russian society, but also brought closer currents that stood on diverging positions: “state integrity or Russophobia (real or only imaginary) are topics where a common line is quickly found.”

The person I spoke with (whose name we will not divulge at his request) is a businessman from a Western European country, but has been living in Russia for the past seven years. He is married here, and also received an MBA in Russia, more precisely in Moscow.

After the attack of Putin’s army on Ukraine on February 24, the emigrant returned (temporarily) to the EU, but part of his family remained there. We wanted to talk about recent events, the mobilization of reservists for the war, etc., in order to also have the point of view of a Westerner who knows Russia firsthand and understands how society is organized both in Russia and in the West.

How has the attitude of Russians to the war changed from February 24 to today? Has support increased or decreased?

It’s hard for me to appreciate because almost no one talks openly anymore. At the beginning of the war, I heard many voices on social media, as well as on the streets, in restaurants (right across from the Kremlin) and from public figures (notably the daughter of Putin’s press secretary) opposing the war.

Many people protested in the streets. After protesters were jailed, others lost their jobs, and controversial laws were introduced, we haven’t seen many speak out. Many left the country.

Somehow this came as a shock to the younger generations, who are used to free speech and who until now have only heard of other times when it was not possible to express your opinion. So, from a support point of view, it’s hard to rate.

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However, there are initiatives against the war. For example, more than 35 mayors of the Moscow region and St. Petersburg signed a petition accusing Vladimir Putin of treason. On the other hand, we have those who are staunch supporters of many species and who make themselves heard.

And here there are not only supporters, but also critics who believe that things are not moving fast enough, and the pace of the government/president is too soft. Earlier they asked for mobilization.

So, at the moment, in public discourse or among colleagues, the most convenient position is to assert about mobilization – so they do not contradict anyone. Those who don’t want to say it might say it’s a shame more people are dying now – and indeed that’s what I hear all too often, and those who say it really feel it.

“After all, most countries in the world do not participate in sanctions – they are from the EU and the USA”

Does the working population (especially urban) feel the consequences of Western sanctions in recent months or not? Let’s give some examples.

Russia is a large market, in some respects self-sufficient. Early on there were a few days of irrational, panic buying (sugar – Russia is a net exporter of sugar, never had a shortage) and some luxury stores were empty or closed. But in principle, there is no need for them, there are many domestic or foreign options.

After all, most countries of the world do not participate in sanctions – they are from the EU and the USA. In urban centers, of course, there is still a feeling that a certain type of risotto is no longer served, that Parmesan is in short supply, or that the Versace collection is late.

But on the other hand, in the field of Russian business there is activity and many entrepreneurial initiatives to replace the brands that have appeared with new ones: McDonalds and Starbucks (they were still not as popular as domestic brands) have already been replaced by new brands with similar offers , new designers are selling their clothes, food is no longer imported from the EU since 2014, the banking market has long been operating domestically without SWIFT – it remains to be seen how and whether Russia will succeed in replacing imported components in industry and technology.

In short, many feel safe and believe that there will be a few more difficult years, but then Russia will emerge from this situation much less wrinkled than Europe.

This feeling, by the way, does not correlate with the attitude towards the war. In principle, people who are not fans often get the same impression.

What do you know about the protests after the decree on the mobilization of reservists?

There were protests in small and large cities, not so much with arrests. I do not think that this will be a mass phenomenon.

What is the mood among Russians after Putin’s statement? What do you think will happen in the next period?

No one wants to die except romantic nationalists who have seen too many movies. And no one wants to lose their loved ones. Neither in Russia nor in Ukraine. Many have relatives both here and there. Now the meaning of the tragedy is becoming a little more tangible for many.

However, the Russians have nowhere to go. With its sanctions, the West mostly punished the urban and active population, as well as anti-Russian, sometimes racist actions (exclusion of all Russians from international design and art competitions, even Russian dogs from dog shows, Pink Floyd and others blocked their music in Russia, etc. – there was a marathon of absurdities ) were cut off and left without support (even moral), especially those who were critical and close to the Western way of life.

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From the point of view of Russians, the West is seen as hypocritical and with double standards, and most people consider the sanctions inappropriate.

So I don’t see dominant voices calling for reconciliation with the West, rather the discourse will be between those calling for an escalation of the war and those supporting the current course, which is however limited as a regional and political goal. And given how much Western weapons and support are now being unloaded in Ukraine, the situation could go on for years and escalate a bit.

I think this is the biggest problem: there seems to be no alternative.

From what you know: is Ukraine a cause of sacrifice for the Russian people? What are the stakes/topics where Russians vibrate emotionally, so to speak?

In the Russian narrative, the US-led West caused the crisis in Ukraine and filled its territory with weapons that threaten the integrity/sovereignty of the Russian state. Ukraine, as a state with a corrupt and unstable government, has become a security threat.

From a geopolitical point of view, at least the southeastern part must be secured, emotionally arguing that the “Russian population” in the east of Ukraine must be protected, and the integrity of Russia protected from American challenges – direct or through intermediaries.

I know many who are indifferent to geopolitical arguments or do not necessarily believe in the humanitarian cause, but state integrity or Russophobia (regardless of whether it is real or only imagined) are topics where common ground can be quickly found.

“Whether you like it or not, we are in the same boat, but there is no ticket for the other. So let’s get together to be good”

Did the Russians believe Putin when they saw him on TV yesterday saying that it was actually the West that intended to destroy Russia? Does official government propaganda work among the urban/educated population? But among the uneducated population?

The speech is quite emotional – the West is presented as Russophobic or, at best, unable to understand Russia and Russians, which is otherwise easily confirmed in foreign contacts for most Russian citizens these days: blocked cards and accounts, exclusion from the “Apple store” and from Western purchases (not mandatory, but prestigious in the past), visa restrictions, exclusion from competitions and cases that can be classified as “cancellation of Russian culture”.

These cases where people have personal experience of rejection and threats/humiliation etc. are far better than any other arguments because they show people, regardless of education or social status, that “like it or not, we are in the same boat” . and there is no ticket for the other one. So let’s go together so that it will be good.”

For example, I know a 12-year-old girl who lived abroad for some time after February 24. To accommodate herself, she wanted to get a hamster and wanted to buy a cage for her new friend from her savings. But her card was blocked.

Then in the park, adult Ukrainians told other children not to talk to the girl. No one was interested in the fact that she always, even at her age, sharply criticized Putin. Like many other children sent by Russian parents to Europe, the girl returned home, where it is easier for her.

• See on HotNews.ro everything that happened on the 211th day of the war.