THE DAILY EXPRESS international columnist ALESSANDRA SCOTTO DI SANTOLO published an article based on a conversation with Ilya Ponomarev, a member of the Executive Council of the Congress of People's Deputies. The text of the article in Russian is given below
EXCLUSIVE: Opposition leader Ilya Ponomarev revealed to Express.co.uk that high-ranking Kremlin insiders are clandestinely aiding the underground movement against President Putin, describing their involvement as their "only insurance policy".
In a startling revelation, Ilya Ponomarev, the leader of the Congress of People's Deputies and a prominent figure in the Russian opposition, has disclosed that high-ranking individuals within the Kremlin are secretly aiding the underground movement against President Vladimir Putin.
Ponomarev describes this collaboration as their "only insurance policy," suggesting a complex web of relationships driven by mutual distrust and self-preservation within Russia.
Ponomarev, who served as a member of the Russian State Duma from 2007 to 2016, has been a vocal critic of Putin's regime. Notably, he was the sole member of the State Duma to vote against the controversial Russian gay propaganda law and the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
His political stance, advocating for democracy, human rights, and peace in Ukraine, has made him a significant figure in the opposition movement within Russia.
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Ponomarev shared insights into the clandestine collaboration with "influential" Kremlin insiders.
He said: "I don't trust them at all, and they don't trust me either. But for them, it's a sort of insurance policy."
According to Ponomarev, these "top-level" individuals within the Kremlin believe that maintaining communication with him and providing occasional "favours" could potentially shield them from repercussions for their past actions within the regime.
When questioned about the nature of these "favours" Ponomarev revealed: "Mostly it is information. They love to frame each other. But sometimes we receive invaluable tips."
This admission sheds light on the intricate dynamics between the opposition and certain Kremlin insiders who appear to be engaging in a delicate dance of information exchange.
Ponomarev further disclosed that the Congress of People's Deputies has implemented a special law defining the parameters of their relationship with these individuals.
"We define that there would be a certain date which would be fixed, and people who before that date helped the resistance movement or publicly denounced that regime would be acquitted from our registration," he added.
The revelation raises questions about the internal conflicts and power struggles within the Kremlin, suggesting a level of dissatisfaction among high-ranking figures with Vladimir Putin's regime.
European Union and United Kingdom politicians have recognised the importance of engaging with the Congress of People's Deputies as a legitimate dissenting voice within Russia, making it a focal point for those advocating for democratic values in the region.