Interesting Conversation With Muscovite Political Commentator
It is technically impossible to hold an interview with a Moscow-based political scientist, especially on the Ukrainian topic, considering the cautious atmosphere in Moscow. Experts cannot state expressly what they think, and one can understand them. Nevertheless, among the professional, expert and more or less wide public circles there is an established opinion of people expressing the social-economic interests rather than the current mentality of the Russian society. The purpose is to present truly, at least in the perception of the Yerevan readers, the assessments of the author without disclosing his name. We offer you to read the opinion of one of the most original Russian political scientists on three things.
Igor Muradyan
How do the Russian security agencies and the foreign ministry treat the conflict in Ukraine and the Russian policy? (Approximately, of course.)
They certainly act in accordance with the official settings. As to what I know, as far as I know, the approach of some heads of Russian security agencies to what is happening there is highly cautious. These people understand that the scenario of Crimea will not repeat automatically in the southeast of Ukraine.
Is a war in Ukraine (whether civil or a different type) popular with the Russian society? If yes, among what layers?
There was euphoria in respect to Crimea. Now it’s gone. I think there is no special sentiment for the actions of the new government of Ukraine but there is not a wish to fight for Donbas and the southeast either. I hope this is not going to be published, is it?
What is the attitude of the oligarchic groups, such as bankers, industries, the middle-level capital etc to these developments?
They’re extremely cautious. I’ll put it this way – of course, there may occur an immense resource in the form of Crimea and its assets. If the southeast of Ukraine goes to Russia in one form or another, the Russian coal tycoons will take all the local shafts and pits for a song. However, there is another point. The business sector (not only the oligarchs but also management and the middle class) own property abroad. Property varies from mansions to tiny apartments. This property is now at risk. So, on the one hand, there is euphoria but, on the other hand, there is awareness that a lot of problems come to Russia with a Ukrainian civil war and integration of Crimea.
