By Ezekiel David
Amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, westernised Russians face pressure to fully support their homeland or risk being treated as enemies by the West.
The case of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who is currently under investigation by French authorities, has brought the dual loyalty question into sharp focus.
Durov, once admired by cosmopolitan Russians for his global success, now finds himself at the centre of a debate about loyalty and neutrality.
Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, a prominent voice in support of the Ukraine war, stated, “This [Durov’s detention] is the latest evidence that neutrality during a total world war is impossible for anyone to maintain.” Dugin emphasised a stark choice, declaring, “You are either with us or against us.”
Durov, a billionaire based in Dubai, is under investigation for alleged complicity in illicit activities on his platform. Russia views this as evidence that Western claims of free speech are hypocritical. Durov’s lawyer countered, stating that it’s “absurd to say that a platform or its boss are responsible for any abuse” and that Telegram complies with European laws.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, once considered pro-Western, now warns that Russians embracing Western values could face similar treatment. He stated, “He [Durov] is Russian and therefore unpredictable and dangerous. Of different blood. Definitely not Musk or Zuckerberg.”
This sentiment resonates with many Russians who support the “Fortress Russia” narrative. State media reinforces this view, portraying those with Western sympathies as potential traitors. A Moscow resident, Irina, expressed this sentiment, saying, “This will be a good lesson for those kinds of people who are trying to sit on several chairs at once.”
(Source: Reuters)