I first met Alexei Navalny during his fellowship at Yale University in late 2010. That was before he led millions of Russians into the streets of Moscow and other major cities against President Vladimir Putin. His fierce, striking blue eyes graced the covers of magazines and newspapers around the world. As currently reported, long ago on Friday, he was scheduled to die at the age of 47 in a Russian prison near the Arctic Circle.
Over lunch that day, Navalny’s eyes filled with warmth and joy as he talked about how his young children were learning math and adjusting to life in America. He said he and his colleagues used their deep knowledge of Russian law and bureaucracy, as well as viral videos, social media, GIFs, and other novel techniques, to expose the corruption of President Putin and his cronies. They talked about how they were using it and radiated pride.
He knew he was giving people permission to reach out, question Russia’s leadership, and seek a different path for the future. Of course, its influence will continue to grow in size and impact.
Over the years, I have often reflected on that day because it was already easy to predict Mr. Navalny’s path. Of course he had great courage and a clear sense of purpose. He also stands out as the kind of leader that people want to follow and be a part of his movement, even if, like me, their politics don’t necessarily align perfectly with his ideas. He had charisma.
But he was also already under the skin of Putin and his allies. As we finished eating together, his friend asked him if it was safe to return to Russia, if it would be wiser to continue working from abroad, if he would be jailed if he returned, or worse. I asked him if he was worried about it happening.
His answer was firm. “But we have no other choice,” he said. “I have to go home and fight with my fellow Russians and fight for the Motherland.”
This fateful decision would be repeated by Navalny many times over the next few years. He may not be able to see Putin’s fight against evil through to the end, but his legacy will be one that many Russian compatriots would be happy to adopt.