Free Russia Foundation

Marking 10 years of Free Russia Foundation: from supporting political prisoners and exiled activists to informing policymakers and assisting those displaced by the war, our work has adapted to meet each challenge. With offices established worldwide, we remain committed to exposing Kremlin crimes and strengthening Russian civil society. These efforts remind us that change is a continuous process, and every action contributes to building a freer Russia. Our President, Natalia Arno, reflects on the 10th Anniversary of Free Russia Foundation: https://lnkd.in/dgTGj3QA

2024 has turned out to be the year of stalemate for both the Kremlin and its opponents. The events that defined the political arena for the country included the ongoing war against Ukraine, the assassination of Alexei Navalny and Vladimir Putin beginning yet another term as president. To many, it seems that the current regime will be able to hang on for years and even decades to come. Nevertheless, Vasiliy Zharkov and Alexander Zaritsky examined the details and highlighted possible vulnerabilities in the system. Read their analysis of the evolution of Russian political system in 2024 here⬇️ https://lnkd.in/d8uR_HPn

The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova, condemns Russia's additional 3-year sentence for imprisoned activist Alexei Gorinov, extending his detention to 10 years total for speaking against the war in Ukraine at a municipal council meeting. Gorinov's treatment in detention has been particularly concerning—he faces prolonged solitary confinement, mandatory check-ins every two hours that prevent proper sleep, denial of adequate medical care, and periods of enforced disappearance where even his lawyers couldn't locate him. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has deemed Gorinov's detention arbitrary and called for his release, while Special Rapporteur Katzarova emphasizes that his case represents an intensifying pattern of using national security legislation to silence peaceful opposition in Russia. https://lnkd.in/dpG5QEFh

Many consider Saint Petersburg, often referred to as “the Northern Capital of Russia,” to be the most protest-prone city in the country. What will it be like politically after the fall of the Putin regime? Maxim Reznik, former Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg, shares his thoughts on the matter in the inaugural episode of our new YouTube series dedicated entirely to regional politics. “Not Moscow Time” is a YouTube series offering a different perspective on Russia—a regional one. Hosts Alexandra Garmazhapova and Olga Galkina, along with visiting experts, explore the country beyond the capital. Watch episode 1 here (in Russian; English subtitles available): https://lnkd.in/dnj28TiM #FreeRussiaFoundation #NotMoscowTime #RussianExiles

The opposition to Putinism is not merely a political or economic matter; it is a clash of worldviews. Real change in Russia can only occur if the opposition offers a new system of values—one that resonates with and is easily understood by the Russian people, argues Fedor Krasheninnikov, a Russian opposition political analyst, publicist, and political commentator. “Fedor Krasheninnikov's Commentary” is a reflection on Russia's future and the challenges of democratization, exploring key insights for building a free society. Episode 1 of this series is out now, please click the link to watch it (in Russian; English subtitles available): https://lnkd.in/dWtwXTp7 #FreeRussiaFoundation #RussianOpposition #RussianExiles

How will the new European Commission shape EU foreign policy? What changes can we expect in support for Ukraine? And how will the EU counter Kremlin propaganda? In the inaugural episode of “Hello, Brussels,” we dive into the new European Commission lineup, featuring Ursula von der Leyen (Germany), Kaja Kallas (Estonia), and Andrius Kubilius (Lithuania), among others. “Hello, Brussels” is your guide to the politics of the European Union and its impact on global issues. Hosted by Petar Tanev, Free Russia Foundation's EU Policy Officer, and featuring Sergey Lagodinsky (Germany), MEP and Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly (DEPA), as a resident expert, the show breaks down the EU’s top events and decisions, explaining their significance for Russia, Ukraine, and the rest of the world. Tune in to better understand the EU’s complex structure and how its most important decisions are made (in Russian; English subtitles available): https://lnkd.in/dREmQbCt #FreeRussiaFoundation #HelloBrussels #RussianExiles

🗓️In February 2024, Free Russia Foundation launched a new office in Brussels, Belgium, appointing Roland Freudenstein as its director. The choice of Brussels, home to the EU and NATO, positioned FRF at the heart of Euro-Atlantic policymaking. This strategic move underscored our dedication to building coalitions among global democrats. 🗣️Natalia Arno, President of Free Russia Foundation, praised Mr. Freudenstein’s appointment, saying, “I am delighted to welcome this distinguished political expert to our team. Roland Freudenstein will be a force multiplier for us and make a profound contribution to FRF’s mission. His skills and experience will help us develop innovative approaches to combat authoritarianism, build coalitions, and mobilize supporters.” ➡️The new office was launched to serve as a hub for promoting the vision of a free and democratic Russia. Mr. Freudenstein’s mission involves showcasing that not all Russians align with the Kremlin and advocating for a future Russia as a modern, European democracy. FRF aims to expose the Putin regime’s undemocratic practices to Western decision-makers. The office’s priorities include analyzing and improving Western sanctions against the Kremlin. Drawing on its expertise in Russian affairs, FRF has been working to provide actionable insights to policymakers. According to Mr. Freudenstein, in its 10 months of full activity so far, FRF’s Brussels Office has put Russian civil society on the map of Europe’s capital in an unprecedented way. This is true for the European Parliament, the European Commission, the European External Action Service, NATO, national diplomatic missions and Brussels-based civil society organizations. All Russia-focused units and individuals in these entities now have FRF on their screen. 🗣️Experts, specialists and decision-makers in the EU institutions and NATO and their member states know they can turn to us for input and advice on Russia sanctions, current developments in Russia itself and fresh ideas from pro-democracy Russians about the global struggle against autocracy. Roland Freudenstein, FRF's Brussels Office Director ➡️FRF has also focused on engaging anti-war Russians in exile. Mr. Freudenstein has highlighted the value of these individuals’ insights in shaping Western responses to the Kremlin aggression. While diverse opinions exist among Russian exiles, he has stressed the importance of cooperation and unity to achieve meaningful results for Russia’s democratic movement. 🗣️“In 2025, we will deepen our cooperation with EU and NATO, also through projects, and develop new media activities in order to enlarge FRF’s footprint in Brussels. A 2nd edition of the Brussels Dialogue is planned for later that year,” Mr. Freudenstein concluded.

The cases of Germany, Spain, and Portugal, among others, demonstrate that transitioning from dictatorship to democracy is indeed possible. Russia is no different in this regard—we can build a prosperous society too. In his “Dialogues with Milov” program, Vladimir Milov, Vice President of Free Russia Foundation, explores various scenarios for Russia’s development post-Putin. Together with experts, he analyzes the cases of countries that have successfully overcome dictatorships and proposes practical steps to create a free and peaceful Russia. Mr. Milov and his guests take a deep dive into economic reforms, political transformation, the restoration of democracy, and the country's reintegration into the global community. The inaugural episode of “Dialogues with Milov” features Sergei Guriev, Dean and Professor of Economics at the London Business School. The participants have discussed how to turn the dream of a free, democratic Russia into reality and outlined key steps for this, including re-evaluating attitudes toward the past, dismantling the “propaganda machine,” and rebuilding trust in state institutions. Please watch the episode here (in Russian; English subtitles available): https://lnkd.in/dBQ2AM7a #FreeRussiaFoundation #DialoguesWithMilov #RussianExiles

As the third year of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is underway, the Russian anti-war community faces new, more complex challenges, requiring fresh skills and support like never before. To address these issues, Free Russia Foundation has designed a project accelerator program specifically for exiled pro-democracy activists. Today, we are highlighting the #impact of the Paris Accelerator for projects supporting political prisoners⬇️ #FreeRussiaFoundation #ReforumSpace #PoliticalPrisoners

As the third year of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is underway, the Russian anti-war community faces new, more complex challenges, requiring fresh skills and support like never before. To address these issues, Free Russia Foundation has designed a project accelerator program specifically for exiled pro-democracy activists⬇️ #FreeRussiaFoundation #RussianExiles #impact