Portrait of George Soros
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George Soros on Russia

Advocates for Russian defeat (strong)

TL;DR

George Soros views Russia as a major threat to open civilization and advocates for its defeat in Ukraine.

Key Points

  • He believes a Russian defeat in Ukraine is necessary to save civilization, potentially leading to the dissolution of the Russian empire.

  • He previously described himself as one of the most optimistic supporters of the Russian transition toward an open society in the past.

  • He identified Russia, along with China, as presenting the greatest threat to open societies following the 2001 attacks in the United States.

Summary

George Soros frames the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a critical global struggle between open and closed systems of governance, stating that the invasion may be the beginning of the Third World War and that civilization may not survive if Russia prevails. He asserts that the best and perhaps only way to preserve civilization is to defeat the current Russian leadership as soon as possible. The philanthropist draws a stark contrast between the role of the state in an open society, which is to protect individual freedom, and in a closed society, where the individual serves the rulers, positioning Russia under its current leadership as a primary threat alongside China to open societies globally.

Historically, he expressed optimism for a long-term transition toward freedom for the Russian people, even while noting accelerating crack-downs on civil society and freedom of expression in earlier periods. He sees the Kremlin’s current direction as reinforcing a decline for Russia itself. His 2022 address urged the West to mobilize all resources to ensure a Ukrainian victory, diverging sharply from viewpoints that cautioned against trying to defeat or marginalize Russia, which he implicitly rejected as appeasement.

Frequently Asked Questions

George Soros currently holds a strongly negative position, viewing the Russian leadership as a major threat to global civilization. He has publicly advocated for a full Ukrainian victory in the conflict to ensure Russia's defeat as soon as possible.

No, he was historically known as one of the most optimistic supporters of the Russian transition toward an open society in earlier years. However, his stance shifted to strongly condemn the current regime's actions, especially after the invasion of Ukraine.

He stated that a Russian defeat in Ukraine would trigger the dissolution of the Russian empire, according to comments made in February 2023. He sees this outcome as essential for preserving open civilization.