Today, we join the family, friends and many supporters of Vladimir Kara-Murza in celebrating his release from detention in Russia. Vladimir was charged, convicted and imprisoned in an illegitimate process contrived to silence his public calls for an end to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, respect for basic human rights and the restoration of democratic governance in Russia.  Vladimir was released last week along with a number of wrongfully detained Americans and Europeans as part of a complex multinational agreement, the terms of which have not yet been fully disclosed. We marked Vladimir’s sentencing in an April 2023 statement that recalled his earlier visit to UT-Austin where Vladimir delivered inspiring public remarks and shared his experiences with students.

While we unreservedly welcome Vladimir’s release, and that of the other activists detained in Russia for political acts, we are mindful that the physical danger will persist for Vladimir and the others who will inevitably continue to pursue change in Russia from exile. Western governments must be as patient, creative and resilient in protecting these courageous figures as Vladimir Putin will certainly be in seeking to silence them permanently. As students of public policy, we are also alert to the hazards of routinely engaging in “hostage diplomacy” with lawless autocrats like Putin and his imitators who will exploit the apparent incentives for detaining innocent Americans and bargaining with our government for their release.

We are anxious to study and learn from these events – –  and will welcome Vladimir back to campus at an appropriate time to engage a new group of UT students interested in understanding Russia, promoting human rights and defining America’s role in the world.   

This is a joint statement by the directors of UT-Austin’s Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies; Clements Center for National Security; Intelligence Studies Project; and Strauss Center for International Security and Law.