Khodorkovsky could have escaped Russia with substantial wealth intact but consciously chose to stay and face imprisonment knowing he would receive harsh punishment from Putin—this choice to stay and sacrifice for his values demonstrates idealism rather than opportunism.
factualpending
Speaker
Martin SixsmithEvidence Quote
“he could have taken enough money with him to have a very nice lifestyle in the west but he didn't he stayed... because he genuinely believed in the values that he was fighting for so I think there is a certain amount of idealism in doing that and he certainly paid for it”
Source
How The West Can Stop Putin, with Exiled Critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky | Intelligence Squared— Intelligence SquaredCreated: 8/10/2026, 10:56:34 PM
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