War of Ukraine “I have tried to explain who Putin really is” – Ukrainians are fighting for their own and our freedom, writes Russian writer Mikhail Shishkin

Mikhail Shishkin, who lives in Switzerland and opposes Putin, is one of Russia’s most prominent contemporary writers. After this war, after Putin, the Russian Federation will disintegrate, and even then there may be nothing good in it, he writes.

3.3. 5:30 p.m.

This the war did not begin now but already in 2014. The Western world did not want to comprehend it but pretended that nothing terrible would happen.

During these years, I have tried in my appearances and publications to explain who Putin that’s right. I have not succeeded in that. Now Putin himself has made it all clear.

I am Russian. In the name of my people, my country, in my own name, Putin is committing monstrous crimes. Putin is not the same as Russia. Russia feels pain and shame. In the name of my own Russia and my own people, I apologize to the Ukrainians. And I realize that it’s not possible to forgive everything that happens there.

Always when my articles were published in the Swiss press, I received indignant letters from the Russian embassy in Bern. Now they remain silent. Maybe they pack their bags and write petitions to be granted political asylum?

I would like to return to Russia. But what kind of Russia? Putin’s Russia is impossible to breathe – the stench in the police boot is too strong. I will return only to the country where I wrote in an open letter refusing to represent Putin’s Russia at the International Book Fair in 2013 – before the Crimean Coalition and this war against Ukraine: “I want and will represent another Russia, my own country free protect the right to corruption but human rights, a country where free media, elections and citizens are free. ”

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In Russia, freedom of expression was previously restricted to the Internet, but now war censorship extends there as well. Authorities have stated that all critical statements against Russia and its war are considered treason and punishable under martial law.

What can a writer do? Just what he can do: speak clearly. Silence means supporting the attacker.

The Poles who revolted in the 19th century fought against the tsarist rule of Russia “for your and our freedom”. Now the Ukrainians are fighting against Putin’s army for their own and our freedom. They defend not only their own dignity but the dignity of all mankind. Ukraine defends our freedom and our dignity. We have to help it the way we can.

Government power is also guilty of the crime of shame all over the country. Russia is now not equated with Russian literature and music but with bombed children. Putin’s crime is that he has sown the poison of anger in people. Putin gives way, but pain and anger can remain in souls for a long time. And only art, literature, culture, can help cope with this disability. The dictator’s low, insignificant life will end sooner or later, but the culture will survive – this has always been the case, and it will continue to be so after Putin.

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Literature is not supposed to tell about Putin, literature is not supposed to explain war. It is impossible to explain war: why do people tell one people to kill another? Literature is the opposite of war. The right literature always tells of a person’s need for love and not anger.

What waiting for us? If all goes well, there will be no nuclear war. It is very pleasing to believe that the mind will not be allowed to attack the red button and that none of his subordinates will carry out this last order.

But it seems that nothing else good we can expect. A country called the Russian Federation cannot be found on the map after Putin. The process of disintegration of the empire continues. The independence of Chechnya is followed by the independence of other peoples and regions. The power struggle begins. Citizens do not want to live in chaos – again, the need for a strong, guiding hand is growing. Even in the freest elections – if any – a new dictator will come to power. And the West supports him because he promises to control the red button. And you know, if everything happens again and then.

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Mikhail Shishkin’s text has been translated into Finnish by Vappu Orlov, who has also translated his work Your Letter (WSOY, 2012), Neidonhius (WSOY, 2015) and Fiction (WSOY, 2016).

The text has also been published in other European media.

Read more: Author Mikhail Shishkin: “The Russian people are being exploited”

Read more: The charm of Mikhail Shishkin’s breakthrough novel lies in irresponsibility

Read more: The letters cannot be found

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