According to the general secretary of the Finland-Russia Association, many Russian dissidents feel that this is the moment in world history when families in Russia are breaking up and opinions are divided.
Liberal Russians have few directions left to go from their homeland, says the general secretary of the Finland-Russia Society Niina Sinko in the 8 minutes program. Supplier Olivia Dean Belle asked what the situation of these Russians is now.
What is the responsibility of an ordinary Russian in a situation where Ukrainians are ready to die for a free and democratic Ukraine. Can we demand the same from the Russians?
– Of course, Russian society, Russian citizens have allowed the situation to slide to the situation it is now. It is the result of a long time. On the other hand, one should understand that the Russian people live in a dictatorship. They don’t live in a society where acting is possible, Single times.
According to Sinko, it seems that at the moment Russia is completely lacking in mass force. The opposition showing a different direction has been suppressed.
People who oppose the opposition and the war have left Russia. Which countries currently accept Russians and under what conditions?
– Their directions are starting to run out pretty much. At the moment, the escape takes place through the countries south of Russia, says Sinkko.
How does Finland receive Russians at the moment?
– Many different people from Russia have come to Finland since the start of the war. There have been people fleeing mobilization and then those for whom Russia became very cramped right after the start of the war.
You have a lot of contact with the Russian anti-war civil society. What kind of stories do these people have?
– There are two kinds of stories. There are those who are here in the West who could have come here more easily. Here they may have been surprised to be able to speak more freely.
– The situation of opponents of the war who remained in Russia is difficult. Especially in small villages. Many of them feel that they are forgotten from all directions. No one from their close circle supports them.
– The operation has really sunk underground. The situation is pretty rough. Many may have been rejected by their own family and community, says Sinkko.
– The Russian state is doing everything to prevent them from acting, and there are no longer contacts with the West in the same way as before.
The Finland-Russia association has condemned the war of aggression started by Russia and cut off all contact with the Russian authorities.
What importance does the general secretary Niina Sinkko have for the Finland-Russia association anymore?
– In this situation, we are the one that produces versatile information about Russia. The kind of information that we think Finland needs from Russian society.
– The existence of the Finland-Russia association and the state funding it receives have been questioned since the start of the war. Especially now, however, knowledge related to the neighboring country is really important, says Sinkko.
You can watch Niina Sinko’s interview in its entirety on Areena: