Vitaly Portnikov in an article for the Free Russia Forum: I understand why Kasparov became enraged (on the birth pangs of the Russian democratic platform in PACE).
Even during my active journalistic work in Russia, I became convinced that cynicism and distortion are an integral part of Russian political culture.
Therefore, out of habit, I “translate” what is said publicly or even privately to understand what a given political figure actually wants to say or do—regardless of their declared convictions.
The PACE Platform and the Berlin Declaration:
Declaration of Russian Democratic Forces:
(also known as the Berlin Declaration) was adopted on April 30, 2023, in Berlin as an attempt to unite the fragmented Russian anti-Putin opposition in exile.
The document was initiated by Mikhail Khodorkovsky and other opposition figures (e.g., Garry Kasparov or Dmitry Gudkov) associated with the Russian Anti-War Committee.
Main points of the declaration:
In the document, the signatories committed to five basic principles:
- The war against Ukraine is criminal: Russian troops must be withdrawn from all occupied territories, Russia’s 1991 internationally recognized borders must be restored, and war criminals must be punished.
- Putin’s regime is illegitimate and criminal: The regime must be dismantled.
- Rejection of imperialism: The pursuit of imperial policies within Russia and abroad is unacceptable.
- Liberation of political prisoners: All political prisoners and prisoners of war must be released, and deported persons (including Ukrainian children) must return home.
- Solidarity with opponents of the regime: The signatories expressed support for all Russians who, despite repression, demonstrate anti-war stances.
Platform for dialogue:
The declaration became the basis for the creation of the “Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces” within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which aims to support democratic changes in Russia.
Russia’s reaction: The Russian regime responded repressively to activities associated with this platform, and in 2025, it accused its participants of terrorism and attempting to seize power.
I have no doubt that the reluctance of some Russian opponents of the Putin regime to sign the Berlin Declaration is not because it was drafted by Khodorkovsky or anyone else. The point is that Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin, or Yulia Navalnaya are unwilling to condemn their country’s aggression against Ukraine at an institutional level and to begin engaging in genuine—not simulated—civic activism.
These people have invented a reality in which they will seek power in Russia through elections, and therefore they avoid anything that might anger their potential voters. They live in such a world. However, it is not the real world where Ukrainians are being killed by bullets and missiles.
And I perfectly understand why Garry Kasparov became furious. In a normal person, cynicism and lies simply provoke rage. And Garry has always reacted this way. Some might say that makes him a bad politician.
However, when you are trying to represent a country that has no politics at all, you do not need to be a good politician. You must be a decent person, thinking at least of your honor—which ultimately serves as an example for those who have surrendered their honor and dignity.
You must learn at least not to lie.
Vitaly Portnikov
RUSSIANS WHO ARE NOT SILENT | PATRON
Together we make the Russian resistance visible.
Let us push the Russian resistance into the public debate. Let us defy the Russian regime as well as our own prejudices. When we talk and write about them—and when there are many of us—propaganda will have a harder time. And that is already something. Every bit counts.
