Former Soviet Prisoner Natan Sharansky Concerned About Alexei Navalny’s Fate

Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet prisoner and hero, expresses concern that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny will surpass his own record of spending 405 days in a punishment cell. Sharansky, who spent nine years in the Soviet Gulag, believes that Navalny, who has already spent almost 200 days in a punishment cell, will break his record if his current pace continues. Sharansky reflects on his own experiences as a dissident in the Soviet Union and highlights the dangers faced by those who oppose the regime in Russia today. He emphasizes the importance of solidarity and support from the international community in standing up against dictatorships. Sharansky also discusses the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin’s thirst for empire, and the need to resist appeasement. He praises Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a great leader and notes that Ukraine’s struggle is demonstrating the positive aspects of nationalism, while Russia exemplifies the negative side of nationalism under a cruel dictator. Throughout the article, Sharansky’s personal experiences and insights provide a unique perspective on the challenges faced by political prisoners and those fighting for freedom and democracy.