I agree with Chris Booth’s support for Russia’s conscientious objectors (Letters, 23 September). We should also extend this support to the country’s anti-war protesters, who run the risk of arrest, beatings, fines and imprisonment simply for disagreeing with Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. Even using the word “war” in this context has been made illegal. Unfortunately, the west has offered minimal support. Those trying to flee being drafted (or worse) are now unable to enter most neighbouring EU countries.
The Lithuanian foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, has said that Russians “should stay and fight. Against Putin”. This is easy for him to say. He appears not to have noticed that Putin’s Russia has morphed into a neo-fascist police state. Thousands of Russian protesters have been arrested since the war began.
Charles Michel’s request, as European Council president, for “openness to those who don’t want to be instrumentalised by the Kremlin” is a welcome intervention. Supporting and granting asylum to Putin’s opponents is the right thing to do.
Darren Reynolds
Free Russian Voices
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