To My Dear American Friends



Just a couple weeks ago I restored my old Twitter account and decided to follow some of you. What I did expect: some company news, some industry news, some inside humor, maybe some family and pet photos, some leisure, some dad jokes, some good jokes, some gifs and ninjacats. What I got instead: TRUMP TRUMP TRUMP RUSSIA RUSSIA TRUMP.

Thank you for interest to my country. Let me tell you a thing or two about it.

First, I know something about technology and about Russia, so I honestly doubt the mighty Russian Hackers were powerful enough to significantly affect your elections, if at all. Yes, Russian state propaganda is quite powerful and absolutely mean, but it mostly targets internal audience (i.e. Russian people). And yes, the entire propaganda machine was pro-Trump during the entire Presidential run. However, it's not the same as directly manipulating the election system and voting machinery.

Second, even if it did affect the elections in any way (thru either propaganda or hacking). Please understand that it has nothing to do with ordinary Russian people. People of Russia are not the same as today's Russian government―just the same way as American people are not the same as today's USA government. We―or at least significant part of us―hate our government as much as you hate yours, if not more. And we have a long history of opposing it. Many of my friends and fellow protesters were oppressed and discriminated―from losing their jobs and businesses to losing their freedom.

We, the people of Russia, firmly believe our nations have much more in common than our politicians try to make up. We have the same core values as you do, similar lifestyle, similar Western culture, similar economic interests―and similar world enemies, like global terrorist networks (e.g. ISIS) and totalitarian leaders (e.g. Kim Jong-un). We can, and should be friends, not enemies.

Maybe it all sounds far too naïve, but please stop saying Russia elected Trump. I, for one, did not. However, I have several other friends in US who did consciously vote for Trump. And they still do not regret it. They are indeed nice people, and some of them are our colleagues, too. Let's respect their choice.

After all, you have an awesomely balanced political system in the US which sustained generations of politicians, good and not so. It is not that bad if you have a populist as a president, but free press and other forces in the court and parliament who can openly oppose him and constrain. Please enjoy it. Or if you think it could not get any worse―take a look at Russia where we also have a populist as a president, but almost no free press, and no independent court or parliament whatsoever.

Mind you, I'm not saying you should stop criticizing Trump or his allies. But please don't get obsessed about it, be mindful and respectful to your opponents, and do not blame Russia and Russian people on everything. Thank you.