Former adviser to the Office of the President Alexei Arestovich called on the Russian opposition not to be ashamed of the word “Russian”

Alexei Arestovich called on the Russian opposition not to be ashamed of the word “Russian” and said that for him, labeling all Russians as “fascists” is “real fascism.” He said this at the Free Russia Forum, which is held by Russian oppositionists.

“What I don’t like most about the Russian opposition is the constant apologies for the word “Russian.” This is this imposed victimization in the style of “well, sorry that we are Russian.” For me, real fascism is to label all Russians as fascists,” said Arestovich.

He also later commented on his performance.

“This is an imposed feeling of guilt. This is training. Why do we need trained people? How can they build a free Russia? I don’t want the Russian opposition to be trained. A trained one is ineffective, but I need a strong and effective one, even speaking absolutely pragmatically. And if not pragmatically, then a person should not be ashamed of who he is,” Arestovich said.