The Conundrum of Compliance: Russia's Elite and Their Pact with Power

The Elite's Calculated Compliance

As we stand on the precipice of the fourth anniversary of Russia's catastrophic war in Ukraine, an unsettling reality is unfolding: the survival of Russia's elite hinges on an uncomfortable pact with the very authoritarian regime they outwardly disavow. The narrative presented in Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan's piece urges us to pull back the curtain on a complex web of complicity in brutality, where silence is often mistaken for stability.

In a political landscape dominated by repression, Russian officials and cultural influencers find themselves entangled in a symbiotic relationship with Vladimir Putin. These individuals, tasked with shaping public perception, are effectively muzzled, unable to articulate dissent amidst a chilling atmosphere of intimidation. Instead, they express their allegiance through carefully curated cultural offerings that mask their internal dissections of the regime.

Cultural Events: A Facade of Normalcy

This year, two government-backed cultural festivals exemplified this trend: a book festival and a film award ceremony. The outcomes were distressingly predictable—the prizes awarded to loyalists, the narratives embracing Soviet-era nostalgia, and the circulation of familiar themes that extol the virtues of the state rather than challenge its failings.

“We have entered a phase of cultural production that lacks nuance, where creativity is sacrificed at the altar of compliance.”

At the book festival, the prestigious award went to Nikita Mikhalkov, a film director whose family legacy is steeped in Soviet loyalty—a fact that was far from coincidental. The politicians tailored their narratives to align with the Kremlin's demands, often offering recitations of state propaganda disguised as cultural expression.

A Glimpse into the Minds of the Elite

Olga Lyubimova, the Russian culture minister and a protégé of Mikhalkov, serves as a telling example of the elite's adaptation. With personal ties to a lineage of Soviet stars, her ascent reflects a broader trend within Russian cultural circles. She initially thrived among liberal intellectuals who now appear outnumbered and sidelined.

Lyubimova's controversial 'manifesto for survival', “I lie on my back, spread my legs, breathe deeply, and even try to enjoy it,” captures the unsettling mindset of those who navigate the treacherous waters of Putin's rule. It evokes a twisted acceptance of subjugation that many of her contemporaries share.

The Pursuit of Western Acceptance

This unsettling duality poses profound questions: how does one balance ambition with the demands of an increasingly oppressive regime? Lyubimova's trajectory from a journalist to culture minister epitomizes this struggle. Her tenure has been marked by a dedicated effort to promote state propaganda even as personal desires for acceptance in Western circles remain palpable.

Consider their bewilderment when, despite the layers of compliance, opportunities for collaboration with the West dissolve in the face of international scrutiny. When she represented Russia at Pope Francis's funeral, the event was met with envy among colleagues, many of whom are now geographically and ideologically shackled by sanctions.

The Ongoing Adaptation of the Elite

In the face of overwhelming reality, the elite's desire for acceptance lingers. Yet, even as their cultural productions mirror obedience to the Kremlin, they secretly yearn for validation from the West—a dichotomy that reveals itself through the lens of disappointment.

The arresting imagery of Lyubimova's appearances abroad serves as a stark juxtaposition to the grim conditions faced within Russia. Official diplomatic missions to countries like Brazil and Qatar symbolize an ideological pivot, seeking alliances in continents previously regarded merely as distant adherents of the West.

Conclusion: A Dichotomized Existence

The adaptation, internalization, and ultimate isolation of Russia's elite highlight the dire consequences of their choices. The cultural narratives created in this landscape often lack depth and criticality. As the elite continue down this precarious path, one must wonder: what will become of the essence of Russian culture?

• Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan, both journalists in exile, scrutinize the shifting dynamics within Russia through their insightful works.