Russian dissident Kara-Murza calls for post-Putin democratic transition

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Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza has urged Western governments and Russia’s exiled opposition to start preparing for a democratic transition in Russia after President Vladimir Putin leaves office. Kara-Murza made these remarks during his first public appearance in the United Kingdom since being released from a Siberian penal colony in a prisoner exchange on August 1.

Kara-Murza, who was imprisoned for publicly opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine, emphasized that Russia must avoid repeating the mistakes made after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. He stated that a future opportunity to establish a democratic government would come and that it was crucial to be prepared.

“None of us knows exactly when, exactly in what circumstances, but it’s going to happen in the very foreseeable future. And next time, we must get this right,” Kara-Murza said.

Kara-Murza, 43, a dual Russian and British citizen, highlighted the importance of ensuring Vladimir Putin does not win the war in Ukraine and urged the West to stand with the Russian people. He also advocated for the release of political prisoners in Russia, noting that around 1,300 prisoners of conscience remain detained.

Kara-Murza defended prisoner swaps, stressing that the August 1 exchange saved "16 human souls" from Russia’s harsh prison conditions. He also highlighted the cases of Alexei Gorinov and Maria Ponomarenko, who remain in dire situations in Russian prisons.