There are a number of ways that Ukraine and its allies could incentivize Russians to work with Ukraine and turn against Putin. Some of these methods include:
- Providing financial assistance to Russians who are struggling economically. The Russian economy is currently in a state of decline, and many Russians are struggling to make ends meet. Providing financial assistance to Russians could help to improve their economic situation and make them less dependent on the government.
- Offering amnesty to Russians who defect from the government. Many Russians are afraid to speak out against Putin or to defect from the government because they fear reprisals. Offering amnesty to Russians who defect could encourage more people to speak out against the government and to work with Ukraine.
- Providing access to uncensored information. The Russian government tightly controls the flow of information within the country. This makes it difficult for Russians to get accurate information about the war in Ukraine and about the government’s actions. Providing access to uncensored information could help Russians to see the truth about the war and about the government’s actions.
- Supporting Russian civil society. There are a number of Russian civil society organizations that are working to promote democracy and human rights in Russia. Supporting these organizations could help to build a stronger civil society in Russia and to create a space for Russians to express their dissent.
- Reaching out to Russian youth. Russian youth are increasingly disillusioned with the government and with the current state of affairs in Russia. Reaching out to Russian youth and providing them with alternative sources of information could help to encourage them to speak out against the government and to work with Ukraine.
It is important to note that these are just a few of the ways that Ukraine and its allies could incentivize Russians to work with Ukraine and turn against Putin. The best approach will likely involve a combination of different methods.