Putin’s critic settled in Prague. I no longer wanted to raise a child in Russia, she says
Lola Tagayeva used to be a journalist in Russia. She worked in several media, most recently in the independent Internet TV Dožď. It was one of the last media that remained free in the country, but after the start of the war in Ukraine, it had to close down under pressure from the Kremlin. Like the radio station Echo of Moskvy or the newspaper Novaya Gazeta.
Tagayeva settled in the Czech Republic, founded a new Russian-speaking group here Vjorstka.
In an interview for Aktuálně.cz, he says that the situation in the Czech Republic was not easy in the first days and weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He also fears that Russia is in for deep economic shocks in the coming years and that the war in Ukraine will continue for a long time.
Lola Tagayeva in the days when she was the editor of the independent Russian television station Dožď. | Photo: Lola Tagayeva’s Facebook
How and when did you come to Prague? And why did you choose the Czechia as your new home?
I arrived three years ago. However, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, I stopped going to Russia and founded a new Russian medium, Vjorstka. I came to the Czech Republic because several Russian journalists were already working here at the time and there was an opportunity to participate in interesting projects.
What were the main reasons why you no longer wanted to stay in Russia?
I did not want to raise my young child in Russia. And I worked as a political journalist, which is difficult in Russia.
And are you satisfied with life in the Czech Republic? As a Russian, didn’t you have problems after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began?
I am satisfied, but at the beginning of the war the hostility towards the Russians was visible. Honestly, it was quite stressful for us, so I went to Italy with the baby for a while. I always considered the Czechia to be a safe country where I could freely engage in journalism, but after the start of the war it didn’t look like that for some time.
To some people I was simply Russian. No matter that I do things for which you can get fifteen years in prison in Russia. This period was difficult. But I hope that the opinion that Russians are different will eventually prevail in the Czech Republic. Some fight against the Putin regime, for human rights, for freedom. As you can see now, Russians are so different that it is difficult for them to live together in one country. I think the black and white image of Russia is disappearing, or at least I hope so.
However, it is currently difficult for Russians to obtain a Czech visa. The government has tightened the conditions quite a bit…
On the one hand, I understand that there is a fear that some pro-Putin Russians will not get to the Czech Republic. On the other hand, it is not right to blame the whole nation and then simply ban them from traveling. To all Russians and Belarusians. It is good that there is at least a postscript according to which a visa can be granted for humanitarian reasons.
But I repeat that I understand the limitation. The Czechia is one of the countries that, in principle, will provide support to Ukraine, which I agree with.
Do you think that the majority of Russians in Russia support the war in Ukraine? Do you agree?
I personally distrust Russian opinion polls. Some people are afraid to say they agree with the invasion because they are afraid to say otherwise. Some will say they don’t know or won’t say anything. People are afraid to say something the government doesn’t agree with because the government and parliament have passed laws punishing criticism or opposition with jail. And the Kremlin then presents the results of unreliable polls as proof that Russia is united and that the majority of people support the regime.
Do you have any news about how international sanctions are affecting the daily life of Russians?
Everything is more expensive in Russia, but the Russian propaganda of that wine is the West. They claim that it is revenge against the West, which hates Russia and wants to harm it. Propaganda does not connect it at all with the war in Ukraine and with the fact that it is a response to this war. On the contrary, he says that this is actually one more reason why Russians should unite around their president in the fight against foreign enemies.
If nothing changes, Russia is in for major economic upheavals and will collapse in two or three years. At least that is the opinion of respected economists. As for restrictions on traveling or using payment cards abroad, unfortunately, it mostly affects people who have traveled before, are educated and those who do not support Putin’s regime.
Those who have never been abroad see and hear constantly on TV that Putin is not to blame for the fact that they are worse off, but the West, which hates us.
Do you see any hope for an early end to the war in Ukraine? Or what could stop Putin in Ukraine?
He will certainly not be stopped by phone calls with him, for example, French President Emmanuel Macron. They only serve to make Putin feel important when someone pays attention to him. I think only force can stop Putin and his aggression. It’s hard and scary to say this, but unfortunately it’s true. Personally, I believe that the war will continue for years, I do not believe in diplomacy and talks.
There are actually only two options. The first is to accede to Putin’s terms, the second to fight. And I seriously think that the war will be very long. There are enough men in Russia to send to war and have them killed there.
Meanwhile, state propaganda in Russia is preventing people from learning the truth about the horrors happening in Ukraine. They keep saying that Russia is saving people from Nazism in Ukraine. This is also why I think the war will not end soon.
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