Saturday, 24 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Ordinary Russians pay a high price for protesting Putin
World

Ordinary Russians pay a high price for protesting Putin

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Ordinary Russians pay a high price for protesting Putin
SHARE
A protestor.

A protestor. Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock

One of the more astonishing developments of the last week has been the sight of ordinary Russians taking to the streets to decry Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. In a country where dissent can quickly get you ​​​​​imprisoned or even poisoned, it takes extraordinary moral courage to take a stand: As many as 5,000 protesters have already been arrested.

But does the world have the right to expect such courage from Russians?

Michael McFaul, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration, thinks so. “There are no more ‘innocent’ ‘neutral’ Russians anymore. Everyone has to make a choice — support or oppose this war,” he wrote Wednesday morning on Twitter. “The only way to end this war is if 100,000s, not thousands, protest against this senseless war. Putin can’t arrest you all!”

That’s glib, morally preening nonsense.

In the United States, the slogan “silence equals complicity” has become something of a cliche when brandished by lefty activists. And to some extent it might even be true, but only because we live in a democracy where, supposedly, nearly all citizens have a say in the country’s governance. The bar for moral courage isn’t quite on the ground here — lots of people were badly injured or snatched up off the streets during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, for example — but there is still a lot of room for dissent.

It’s a mistake to transfer that either/or mindset to an autocracy like Russia. Even the country’s oligarchs have sometimes paid for getting on the wrong side of the government. For many people there, it is not the case that silence equals complicity — it’s survival. And given the sudden devastation of Russia’s economy following the invasion, that survival has just gotten a lot more difficult. Vladimir Putin is guilty of invading Russia; pronouncing a shared collective guilt upon millions of people who might just be trying to get by while keeping their heads down is unfair and unjust.

We should welcome and celebrate Russians who, knowing the costs of dissent, get out and protest. (Opposition leader Alexander Navalny — who knows a thing or two about those costs — has already encouraged his countrymen to rise up.) We might even encourage that dissent, and indeed that might be one of the aims of the new sanctions regime. But we Americans have no right to demand Russians risk their lives in the face of incredible power, or to judge them for not speaking up, especially if we’re sitting across the ocean and bearing none of the risk.

You may also like

Belarusian president displays map suggesting Putin plans to attack Moldova

The West is going after Russian oligarchs’ luxury yachts. A Ukrainian yacht mechanic got there first.

Ukraine says its pilots are in Poland picking up donated MiG-29 fighter jets. Poland isn’t commenting.

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Why is Belarus backing Russia in its invasion of Ukraine? It’s complicated | Opinion Why is Belarus backing Russia in its invasion of Ukraine? It’s complicated | Opinion
Next Article Wendy Williams Ex-Husband Kevin Hunter Sues Talk Show Production Company for Wrongful Termination Wendy Williams Ex-Husband Kevin Hunter Sues Talk Show Production Company for Wrongful Termination

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

In a First, Google Goes After Puppy Fraud in Court

In a first for the tech giant, Google filed a consumer protection lawsuit to shield…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

John Travolta pays tribute to late son Jett on what would have been his 30th birthday: ‘I miss you more than words can say’

John Travolta has penned a moving tribute to his late son Jett on what would…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Selfies, hugs and protests: King Charles’s new method in highlight throughout ‘fast and furious’ royal tour of Australia

King Charles and Queen Camilla have left Australia after greater than 30 official engagements –…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Putin says he’s raising the minimum wage and pensions in Russia by 10% to counter inflation

Russian President Vladimir Putin said 2022 will be a difficult year for the country's economy.ALEXEY…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Kids with particular wants in England could lose authorized proper to high school assist
World

Kids with particular wants in England could lose authorized proper to high school assist

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
‘Something has gone very wrong’: how the carers scandal was uncovered
World

‘Something has gone very wrong’: how the carers scandal was uncovered

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Intense, nerve-racking, pivotal: we’ve seen some agonisingly tight elections, however Bradfield might surpass all of them
World

Intense, nerve-racking, pivotal: we’ve seen some agonisingly tight elections, however Bradfield might surpass all of them

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Netanyahu accused of slander after criticising Macron, Carney and Starmer
World

Netanyahu accused of slander after criticising Macron, Carney and Starmer

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?