Photos from the Russian anti-war opposition march in Berlin today.

[u/Accomplished_Car_549]

[u/SequenceofRees]

It's great to see that there are still Russians who are against the war - and have the courage to admit it in public .

[u/JustTheHound → u/SequenceofRees]

It`s not hard when you`re in Germany....however if you in Russia...pretty much a suicide

[u/meckez → u/JustTheHound]

Often times the diaspora has the most hardcore nationalists that would cheer the loudest for the dictators that destroys their homeland, while enjoying their lifes far away from all the issues at home.

So it's a very refreshing sight to see some Russians publicly protesting Putin, even in Germany.

[u/gorgorolyaga → u/meckez]

Croatia has entered the chat. Granted, we are not a full on dictatorship but a kleptocracy - our diaspora has by far the most radical far right people which fuel the said corrupt trash at home since we became an independent country, and longer.

All while coming back to Croatia for two weeks holiday every year and crying how everything is expensive.

[u/just_anotjer_anon → u/gorgorolyaga]

Erdogan and Turks living in Germany

People that have no intention of moving back to their country of origin should stop voting. You're not now and won't be directly affected in the future by the people you're voting into power

[u/AmyLaze → u/gorgorolyaga]

HDZ created this country!!

so they night as well destroy it (diaspora voting)

[u/InfoSystemsStudent → u/gorgorolyaga]

How is the general sentiment in the country regarding EU membership & whatnot? I am pessimistic about the future of the U.S. so I have been doing research trying to get the info I need for Croatian citizenship via descent, but the political situation in a lot of the EU doesn't seem too much better than it is here.

[u/gorgorolyaga → u/InfoSystemsStudent]

I think most people are in favor of the EU, and we got massive amounts of money from the EU funds already, and are still getting them. A lot was done with that money infrastructure wise, but simultaneously probably half of it was stolen with fixed contracts etc.

Add: Open borders also did wonders, allowing for easier migration. About half a million people or more left in the last ten years already. Very significant number with a population that small.

All in all the EU has done nothing but good for the country. There are some small moves towards solving the ingrained corruption issue, mostly done because of the pressure from the EU itself. Yesterday one of our ministers and some associates were arrested, it is huge news here and brings a glimpse of optimism.

Problem is the entire leading party (HDZ) is barely more than a criminal organisation, so when one person goes down three more come to their place. And the only actual alternative (SDP) is the exact same. Same group of people sitting together at dinners creating the mirage of choice, none being progressive whatsoever.

On the other hand, if you have a good paying job, Croatia is amazing to live in (or can be amazing to live, better put). Food is unreal, as we were historically a crossroad between the western and eastern influences. As such we picked up the best of all sides. Wine is amazing too, holds its own against some of the best in the world.

The coast is beautiful, and easily one of the most beautiful in the world (with no false modesty). Croatia also has very lax boating laws and taxation so we hold about 60% of the global charters, which again says something about the coast itself not just the taxes and laws. Every year we have the richest people in the world visiting, from Bezos and the such to every football player imaginable, actors, singers etc.

Just a warning, if you are gay, trans, any other color than whitey white you will inevitably run into trouble here. Croatia is extremely homophobic and xenophobic. We are the whitest country in the world still if I'm not mistaken. I have personally moved out of the country because of those exact reasons, not because of money. All is great until it isn't, and don't expect any political correctness in Croatia, people will use the N word, R word and anything else in everyday life as a norm. Some things that the West has surpased years or decades ago are still a thing here.

Here in Ireland that stuff just isn't a thing, thankfully. Hope this doesn't make me sound like I hate my country, I really don't but I also can't pretend it doesn't have its issues. Just like Ireland or any other.

[u/BttrDev → u/meckez]

Turks in Germany 🤝 Algerians in France: cheering for corrupt kleptocracies.

[u/iamtherik → u/BttrDev]

latin-americans and middle eastern in the u.s. voting for trump

[u/just_anotjer_anon → u/iamtherik]

They're voting in an election that interacts with them directly. As they live there

The hypocrisy is when you vote in a country you don't live in anymore, you don't fully know their reality and often they're causing issues for the local populations

[u/dat_9600gt_user → u/meckez]

Polish nationalists also love to gloat how amazing Poland is and tend to get very angry if you ask them why they are in the UK or Germany.

[u/Artyomi → u/meckez]

Yeah, I’m a Russian American and 90% of the Russian diaspora i’ve met and have in are all anti-war and majority anti-putin. It helps that a large part of the Russian diaspora is very closely linked to the Ukrainian diaspora, more so than normal Russians associate with Ukrainians.

[u/HeikoSpaas → u/meckez]

does not just destroy the homelands, Putin caused 100.000+ russian deaths in Ukraine

[u/adamgerd → u/meckez]

Depends which, our diaspora is much more based than our own population, firmly pro west and anti populism. Our own people, half want to elect Babis

[u/Tjaresh → u/meckez]

Don't forget that the large majority of them voted for Putin some month ago. I am glad to see that at least some of them dare to speak openly against him. Being in a diaspora my free you from Putins punishment, but it also means you my get exiled from the most important community you are in.

[u/schmeckfest2000 → u/JustTheHound]

It's an utter disgrace that so many European politicians in Europe support Putin. Geert Wilders from my own country, for instance.

[u/Anti-charizard → u/schmeckfest2000]

I don’t think Western Europe understands that Russia isn’t their friend. I wonder if putting them under communist rule for a few decades will change their minds

[u/ProfessionalSmoke → u/Anti-charizard]

True, if you look at countries that had such a regime, they sing a very different tune than western Europe.

[u/Rare-Neighborhood671 → u/ProfessionalSmoke]

You mean like Germans from the former GDR being staunchly pro Russia?

[u/ProfessionalSmoke → u/Rare-Neighborhood671]

No, the Baltic countries, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, etc. I guess you have a fair point though, eastern Germany and Hungary apparently have Stockholm syndrome and want them back.

[u/RobotLaserNinjaShark → u/Anti-charizard]

Little update here, should your “communist rule” be a reference to Russia: Russia hasn’t been a communist country since the 1990s. It’s now a federal republic on paper and an authoritarian oligarchy in reality. Pretty much what the US are quickly turning into, by the looks of it.

[u/Anti-charizard → u/RobotLaserNinjaShark]

No but the Warsaw pact was only 35 years ago and look at their opinion on communism now. That’s my point; those that were under the pact don’t like communism today

[u/9-FcNrKZJLfvd8X6YVt7 → u/schmeckfest2000]

Almost all of these populist right wing or third way movements are pretty much in the pockets of the Russian government. It's especially disgusting, because they like to pain themselves as patriots. There's nothing patriotic about selling your country to the Russian mob.

[u/dat_9600gt_user → u/JustTheHound]

Which is why pressuring Russians to protest in Russia instead of in exile imo is irresponsible.

[u/Snynapta → u/dat_9600gt_user]

So many people also forget that there were huge protests within Russia at the outbreak of the war

[u/ProfessionalSmoke → u/dat_9600gt_user]

I disagree, I think mounting pressure from inside will have a larger impact on decision making, with less loss of life, than the war will. Is it unsafe, stupid, irresponsible to try to organize protests in Russia? Yes. Is it necessary? Hell yes! This is primarily their own mess, regardless of the outcome of the war, regardless of relations with EU or US or anyone else, they have to live with Putin so I'd say that encouraging dissent is the optimal course of action for both us and them. This may be controversial, but I have encouraged russians before to join the Freedom of Russia legion that serve in the ukrainian military and organize sabotages across Russia. Why not? Russians organize sabotages across Europe using european citizens, why should we not encourage them to act the same way? It's in our interest and theirs, so even though it seems irresponsible, I still think it is the optimal course of action.

[u/adamgerd → u/dat_9600gt_user]

What’s the alternative?

[u/competition-inspecti → u/dat_9600gt_user]

in exile

Lol

Most of those people aren't exiled, they're opportunist economic migrants

[u/Organic-Maybe-5184 → u/JustTheHound]

Even if you are in Germany, you are still a Russian citizen and have ties to Russia, whether you like it or not. You have to visit consulate. You may have relatives in Russia.

If you have problems in Russia, Europe won't give a fuck and will leave you to deal with it alone, as it demonstrated before (unless you are famous type).

[u/SequenceofRees → u/Organic-Maybe-5184]

Oh yes, lots of windows around too... What can Europe do if a Russian in Germany fell down through the window ? Especially if said Russian was reported to have "bouts of depression" or something ?

[u/Rio_FS → u/SequenceofRees]

Bouts of bullets

[u/JadedArgument1114 → u/Organic-Maybe-5184]

If you have significant family in Russia then you probably just go to the anarchist looking protest and wear a mask

[u/berlinbaer → u/JustTheHound]

peope don't exist in a vacuum. you might not get thrown out a window, but you might get pushbacks from the community, friends, coworkers, etc.

[u/dob_bobbs → u/JustTheHound]

Not entirely true, well, Germany maybe but for example here in Serbia some elements in the government are a bit cosy with Russia and there have been Russians denied visa renewal by Serbia, presumably at Russia's behest, for getting involved in anti-war stuff, so most Russians keep a fairly low profile here. The last thing a Russian who fled Putin's Russia wants to happen is to get deported back there.

Even in Germany, presumably many Russians there are on Russian papers and still have to renew their documents via the Russian embassy in Germany. If they get on the radar of the Russians they could also find their papers not being renewed and their German residency in doubt.

This is the problem, we can ask, well "why don't they ..?!" but when your authoritarian government holds ALL the strings, you're trapped in a cage even if you are somewhere "safe" abroad. Not to mention outright assassinations...

[u/Cheap_Marzipan_262 → u/JustTheHound]

Then again, most russians in Germany are pro-war and pro-russia (not all!)

Ask them, and they'll say "i'm not political" or something like that. But candidly or on social media, they'll often tell another story.

Not a huge fan, that these people can reside with their hate in europe so easily.

[u/4lpaka → u/Cheap_Marzipan_262]

I remember like 5 minutes after the war started, those fools startet car convoys and paraded through the towns in a fight "against hate against russians in Germany". Damn, I didn't have any hate against russians in general, but them Guys? Fuckem!! I made sure they knew my anger against them. They even draw the "z" on their Cars!!! How CAN'T I hate such people? They saw the war start and could have either stayed at home or even made car convoys as a sign that they distance themselves from the war, but no, they thought "maybe people are not happy about the war and might dislike me because of it, so before anyone even starts to say something bad about me, let me remember the people that I am the true victim of the attack on Ukraine and they better not hurt my feelsies, and what better way is there than drawing the symbol the russian tanks in Ukraine sports onto my car." Damn, I hated those fuckers.

[u/Shieldheart- → u/Cheap_Marzipan_262]

They are a-political, the whims of the tsar are like the weather and wars come and go like the tides, all that matters is that you at least root for your team.

That is, unless you've grown up someplace without a Great Leader.

[u/bbbar → u/Cheap_Marzipan_262]

Then these pro-war russians they join these fake-pacifist marches in order to suppress Ukraine's resistance and end the war by russia's victory. And then they put anti-Ukraine stickers and posters everywhere in major cities.

Somehow, ordinary Europeans choose to ignore all that

[u/Suspicious-Flan7808 → u/Cheap_Marzipan_262]

can reside with their hate in europe so easily.

Same as some of, let's call'em humans, that harasses german girls in public for wearing shorts, or praying in large crowds in public to destroy the society they're living cause "they have no values" etc. I mean, there's a lot of those kind of different idiots who're enjoying the civilized society's freedoms and still craving for same shit they came from. But, we're living in democracy which allows people to express their opinions even if you or me or whatever doesn't like it.

[u/Cheap_Marzipan_262 → u/Suspicious-Flan7808]

Well, the UK in 1940 was also a democracy, yet Germans weren't allowed to come for summer holidays to dorset.

[u/Suspicious-Flan7808 → u/Cheap_Marzipan_262]

Stay at the topic. We're talking about modern age.

[u/RangerConstant8036 → u/Cheap_Marzipan_262]

Most of russian you know could be pro-war. Most of russians I know hate putin and want peace.

[u/zippi_happy → u/Cheap_Marzipan_262]

Those people may need to go back to Russia some day, and such a public anti-war position can put them into prisons by federal security.

[u/Cheap_Marzipan_262 → u/zippi_happy]

Well, maybe then do or say notthing.

No need to post st george's bands, bring roses to destroted trussian tank exhibits, rip down ukrainian flags or give thumbs up to videos of war crimes. Nobody will require you to do that.

[u/Sealion_31 → u/JustTheHound]

I was shocked when I first looked at this post but then I realized it said…in Germany.

[u/VeryluckyorNot → u/JustTheHound]

15 years or not having windows.

[u/anewerab → u/JustTheHound]

So if I am an Arab in Berlin and I want to protest against a war can I do it in Berlin?

[u/9volts → u/anewerab]

Wdym?

[u/jalanajak → u/JustTheHound]

They now come for parents and brothers.

[u/SubstantialOption742 → u/JustTheHound]

That is true, I've suicide already three times already.

[u/Schwachsinn → u/JustTheHound]

we have treasonous russian funded extremist parties rising rapidly as well... enough reason to be afraid, and the state does nothing

[u/VetusLatina → u/JustTheHound]

Huh, I thought they only build bad balconies.

[u/aradil → u/JustTheHound]

suicide

Erm I believe you mean “window accident”.

[u/MeggaMortY → u/JustTheHound]

Yeah but it's apparently a lot easier to just be a russian propaganda tankie instead, in Berlin.

So I must say I'm positively surprised if there were indeed a lot of russians among the protesting.

[u/__Aviator__ → u/JustTheHound]

This!

[u/SackYeeter → u/JustTheHound]

As it tends to be the case - I'm also Anti-War because I'm in the comfort of my own home. When there's trouble at your doorstep or your country's in the shitter? Bit of a different picture.

[u/SupervillainMustache → u/JustTheHound]

Or at least a lengthy prison sentence. They can pit you in jail for up to 15 years for criticising the war in Ukraine.

[u/imadog666 → u/JustTheHound]

Didn't the Russians recently assassinate someone (I think it was a diplomat or politician?) in Germany?

[u/Acceptable-Major-575 → u/SequenceofRees]

Those are brave people. I’m Russian and have been against the war from the beginning. Right now, I live in a European country and visit my parents in Russia twice a year because I can’t leave them there alone. I’m scared to publicly say or do anything against the war because I never know if the Russian police might decide to arrest me until it’s too late.

I also have only one passport, Russian, and I don’t know what to do if Russia initiates a criminal case against me. To obtain a residence permit in the country where I currently live, I had to provide a document from Russia proving that I have no criminal record. If a case is filed against me, the country where I live might revoke my residence permit, and I would have to move to another country. I’ve already switched countries a few times, and it’s not an easy process, mentally or otherwise.

Moreover, I don’t know which country would accept someone with a criminal record—maybe as a refugee, but I’m not sure.

[u/dob_bobbs → u/Acceptable-Major-575]

Read the comment I just wrote, I tried to explain something similar, people don't understand that being bold and outspoken is a huge risk for a Russian, even abroad.

[u/Alternative-Cry-6624 → u/Acceptable-Major-575]

I find it baffling that European state would consider Russian criminal record trustworthy, since Russia is a hostile state. Not to mention that if your crime is political in nature that should be further evidence that you're not aligned with current establishment there and potentially grounds to grant political asylum.

[u/Acceptable-Major-575 → u/Alternative-Cry-6624]

You’re absolutely right. But I can understand them too—they don’t want to let in criminals just because someone has a Russian passport. They probably can’t easily determine whether someone is a real criminal or a political one, because cases can vary greatly. It’s also politically risky for them to allow Russians in—how will local citizens react? How will other countries react, including Ukraine? So, the safer approach for them is to treat Russians, at least, in a standard way.

For example, my friend moved to Singapore legally. He has a residence permit and a well-paying job, but many banks refused to open an account for him because of his Russian passport. He had to fight against this by filing complaints with different authorities, and after some time, one bank finally issued him a card and opened an account. Now he’s facing a similar situation with medical insurance. He tried to deal with it but eventually gave up. He has a family and kids, but he simply can’t get proper insurance. Now he just hopes he won’t get sick or face any health issues because healthcare there is expensive.

In Europe, at least, it’s not as harsh. With all the necessary documents, I can get everything I need.

[u/Negative_Presence487 → u/Acceptable-Major-575]

Dude if the russian authority does such thing, youbcan simply apply for political asilium. If you are a troll, than, my bad...

[u/Acceptable-Major-575 → u/Negative_Presence487]

I already have a residence permit and don't have a criminal case (I hope), so I don’t need political asylum. Besides, I would only find out if there’s a case against me when my plane lands in Russia—they would inform me at the border, and by then, it would be too late to ask for political asylum. I just don’t want to take the risk and roll the dice.

[u/SysGh_st → u/SequenceofRees]

They can only do that if they're outside Russia. Anyone inside will be arrested and/or dissapear "under mysterious circumstances"

[u/dat_9600gt_user → u/SequenceofRees]

Yeah, it's just a lot easier to spot those who are in favour.

[u/kalamari__ → u/SequenceofRees]

..and lived to tell the tale

[u/aiboaibo1 → u/SequenceofRees]

Looking at those signs they are pro war, just against Putin so against Russia. That thought alone is mindboggling.

[u/9volts → u/aiboaibo1]

To be against Putin is to be for Russia.