Putin foe Khodorkovsky ‘willing to lead Russia’

Ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who spent a decade in jail after challenging the Kremlin, openly stated his political ambitions on Saturday by announcing he would be ready, if called upon, to lead Russia in times of crisis. By publicly voicing his readiness to take on the country’s top job, the man who was once Russia’s richest appears to have broken a promise to steer clear of politics which he made after being pardoned by President Vladimir Putin in December. The comments were made as Khodorkovsky, 51, launched an online movement dubbed Open Russia to unite pro-European Russians in a bid to challenge Putin’s grip on power.

We are not simply Russian Europeans. We are patriots. And true patriots even during pitch-dark reactionary times should serve their country and their people.

ex-tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky

The launch of his group comes as Kremlin critics say the country, locked in a confrontation with the West over Ukraine, is hurtling toward political and economic catastrophe. The West and Kiev accuse the Kremlin of invading Ukraine and threatening the stability of Europe. Russia’s economy, already on the brink of recession, is reeling from several rounds of Western sanctions. All major television stations in Russia are under state control and few at home can seriously challenge the Kremlin. While many scoffed at Khodorkovsky’s effort to rally Russians while in exile, some said the project could pay off in the long run.

Such a project is sorely needed.

political analyst Mark Urnov

Khodorkovsky Europe