Irina Khakamada is a Russian publicist, economist, politician, writer, and life coach. In the past, she was a State Duma deputy and a candidate in the 2004 Russian presidential election. In recent years, she stepped away from politics, focusing on lectures on «kaizen» philosophy and success psychology. She was born on April 13, 1955, in Moscow.
Irina Khakamada's stance on the war in Ukraine
Stance on Crimea and the «regionalization» of Ukraine
On April 17, 2014, at a press conference, she addressed Putin, praising him for the successful annexation of Crimea (she later confirmed that she arranged this complimentary part so Putin would better hear her question):
Crimea has always needed Russian self-identification« and »they always wanted to be in Russia ......You are a winner. You truly carried out a super-operation without firing a single shot. I congratulate you on the fact that today you honestly stated that the 'little green men' were our peaceful military servicemen protecting Russian people
Khakamada also stated that as a «winner», he must end the war as quickly as possible before it engulfs «the entire post-Soviet space», which would harm Russians, Ukrainians, and Crimeans alike. To achieve peace, Khakamada suggested finding a compromise between the United States and Russia on the Ukrainian issue: recognizing the necessity of the May 25 elections, while diplomatically agreeing on the «regionalization of Ukraine». According to her, this would grant the country's east and south the opportunity to speak Russian, elect their own local governance, and «feel at ease».
On April 25, 2014, on the air of «Echo of Moscow», Irina called the incorporation of Crimea an annexation and the «taking away of the peninsula from Ukraine by Russia», linking it to the Russian authorities' attempt to consolidate society. At the same time, she noted that following the referendum, the Russian president's approval rating rose significantly. In another interview, Khakamada stated that Kyiv would not agree to recognize Crimea as Russian even after a repeat legitimate referendum, and suggested paying reparations/indemnity to Ukraine in exchange for revising the borders. In January 2020, due to these statements, she was denied entry to Kyiv for a business forum.
In June 2019, she was added to the database of the «Myrotvorets» website for encroaching upon Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, denying Russian aggression, etc.
«Observational» stance following the full-scale invasion
Following February 24, 2022, Khakamada took a cautious, silent stance, which she characterizes as «observational». She did not leave Russia, continuing to deliver lectures and masterclasses.
In March 2022, in an interview with Irina Shikhman, she stated that she cannot influence the situation and had already done everything possible in the past:
...the Ukrainian side expects me to summon all the people, and they will immediately take to the streets and I will overthrow Putin... and I understand them. I am ready to ask for forgiveness on behalf of everyone, only that doesn't make things easier for anyone... In 2004, I entered the opposition and warned about everything. I personally told Vladimir Vladimirovich as soon as Crimea happened and he moved east. I said «don't do it, there will be lots of blood.» Guys, I did everything I could. Around 4% voted for me
Khakamada emphasized that 90% of Russia's population lives «inside the television set», consuming propaganda that instills ideas of territorial expansion. She explained her decision to remain in Russia by a reluctance to become a «marginalized emigrant» and her responsibility for her daughter Maria (who has Down syndrome), whose daily routine and employment are established in the Russian Federation:
I cannot leap into some emigration, cross the border and do whatever I want there. I am responsible for Masha
Khakamada also mentioned that at the beginning of the invasion, she posted a «No to war» post on Instagram.
Criticism of the West and thoughts on the economy
In May 2022, Khakamada gave an interview to RTVI, in which she claimed that the West bears responsibility for the war in Ukraine, and that it is impossible to break Russia's economy:
Everyone understands that Ukraine is merely a trigger. If the West had backed down and not pushed for Ukraine to become a NATO member (this is a painful point for Russian leadership), then maybe nothing would have happened»
«Russia can plummet into an economic abyss indefinitely, it has abundant resources. And the people's patience is also unlimited, so the West should not count on these riots
In an interview titled «The West Disappointed Me» for RTVI in December 2022, she expressed the following opinion:
On why she stays in Russia: «If I cannot work here... then I will pack my bags and leave... But as long as I can work here, I will stay...
On those who left the country: «Are they handing out welfare to us abroad or what... Not everyone has money, not everyone has opportunities... Everyone makes their own choice, and no one is answerable for everyone else...
On duty to the Motherland: «Depends on what duty. We owe nothing to the Motherland here. The Motherland is in its place, everything is okay with the Motherland, nobody is taking it away, grabbing it, or anything.
On the collective responsibility of Russians: «Ordinary people in Russia cannot be blamed for what is happening. That is actually the other side of the coin, meaning based on nationality you are already an enemy and you bear responsibility, like children bearing responsibility for their parents, right? No. That is why the West disappointed me. And I was disappointed by those people who live in the West, consider themselves holier than the saints, and start slinging mud at all Russians who stay in Russia and don't do everything to get thrown in prison for 8 years, pontificating that everyone can just sell off whatever they have and leave. Guys, quiet down and show some modesty
Scandal over remarks regarding mobilization
In early 2023, Khakamada found herself at the center of a scandal after answering a question about mobilization:
No, none of mine have been mobilized, they aren't idiots. But an acquaintance of mine had a friend taken from work, and he has already been killed
These words sparked outrage among Z-activists, who demanded that she be designated a foreign agent and stripped of the ability to perform in Russia. As a result, Khakamada's appearances were canceled in several cities.
Irina Khakamada's stance is an attempt to balance humanism and pragmatism. She calls the war a catastrophe, yet simultaneously uses arguments about «NATO's fault» and the impossibility of breaking the Russian economy. Khakamada shields «ordinary people» from collective responsibility, but allows herself sharp jibes against mobilization. Such duality makes her a figure criticized by both sides: she remains in the «Myrotvorets» database for Ukraine and faces attacks from Z-patriots inside Russia.
Так это же просто замечательно