In Finland, this must be understood about Putin – 2024-02-25 17:03:58

Vladimir Putin a former oligarch who is one of the most famous opponents Mikhail Khodorkovsky according to Russia there are two separate societies. One of them is “normal” and the other is “Putinian”.

Khodorkovski visited Helsinki on Sunday and spoke in front of the Oodi library on Kansalaistor. Iltalehti asked Khodorkovsky at the press conference organized after the speech, what is the most essential thing that we in Finland should understand about Putin.

According to Khodorkovsky, it is a matter that he has tried to explain to Western leaders and which, to his deep chagrin, they have only recently begun to understand.

– They have an imagination in their head that they have their colleagues opposite them. A similar leader who works for the interests of his country. But Putin is not like that.

According to Khodorkovsky, Russia’s two societies operate in such a way that in many cases, for example, in a courthouse, you can get a completely normal hearing and verdict. But if you happen to belong to the two percent whose affairs affect the interests of the Kremlin, Putin or his circle, the situation is completely different.

– The legal system will [Venäjän turvallisuuspalvelu] An instrument of the FSB, and the legal system no longer works.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, known as Putin’s critic, believes that the West has only recently begun to understand Putin’s true nature. The photo was taken at an event organized in Helsinki on Sunday. Jani Korpela

A similar situation applies to conventional hospitals in Russia, where, according to Khodorkovsky, you can receive satisfactory treatment in normal cases.

– But in two percent of the cases, the leading doctor calls in the surgeon and says that you will stab this patient to death. This is how Putin’s society works.

“Villain”

According to Khodorkovsky, you can’t just sit down and negotiate with Putin.

– Putin is a villain. You can’t talk to him from a weak position. Putin does not believe in democratic institutions or that a mutually satisfactory solution could be found. If you’re in a weak negotiating position, you can’t say to Putinin, hey Vladimir Vladimirovich, I’d like to introduce you to a win-win strategy.

– He doesn’t understand that.

According to Khodorkovsky, Putin believes that everything is decided by “a group of thugs (Ven. banda) who seized power”.

– If this band of thugs has power, then things can be agreed upon. And if it is weak, it will be put to an end. We are dealing with such a person.

A threat to Finland?

Khodorkovsky was also asked at the event what kind of threat Russia now poses to Finland and the Baltics. According to Khodorkovsky, Europe is now on the threshold of a new cold war.

– Since the hot war with Ukraine has been going on for two years already, a significant reconstruction began in the Russian military industry, and inside Russia there is a huge number of people whose lives are linked to arms production, as was also the case during the Soviet Union. We understand that Western Europe is finally waking up and realizing that the peaceful life on the continent is over.

In this situation, according to Khodorkovsky, it is not possible to suddenly tell millions of people that a change of direction is now being made towards a more peaceful world. According to Khodorkovsky, Finnish society defines what kind of role Finland will play. However, Finland has made the decision to join NATO.

– It redefines Finland’s role, which will be different from what it was in the previous Cold War. You have to be ready for that.