Artur Smolyaninov Sees No Return to Russia in the Near Future
Actor Artur Smolyaninov, who has faced designation as a foreign agent and labeled as a terrorist and extremist in Russia, spoke candidly during a conversation on the Talking Heads YouTube channel. He stated that returning to Russia within the next decade is not in his plans and, in his view, not a realistic option either in terms of desire or feasibility.
He described the outlook with a blunt honesty, saying that even if circumstances allowed it, the chance to come back would not exist in the foreseeable future. He emphasized that the calendar alone would not determine his feelings, as the more pressing factor would be the definitive absence of any motivation to return to his homeland, regardless of what unfolded over the next ten years.
Smolyaninov went on to explain that he does not anticipate substantial changes in Russia in the near term. He referenced the era before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, noting that even then there were signs suggested by history that adjustments were on the horizon. In his view, current discussions about potential political shifts often come from media commentary and online commentary, including material from certain YouTube personalities who speculate about possible prerequisites for change in the country.
He added that people talk about such topics in order to fill a vacuum and to confront a sense of uncertainty. He believes most listeners understand that these conversations can be a form of air movement rather than concrete change. Still, he argued that speech remains a weapon and a tool of influence, even if its effects are not immediately visible. In his assessment, dialogue serves to comfort, to provoke thought, and to mobilize attention, but it does not produce rapid, unmistakable results.
In related entertainment news, Milos Biković continues to be involved in his latest project, appearing in a new season of the series Unprincipled, joining Smolyaninov in a frame that blends public interest with a rotating cast of performers. (Source attribution: Talking Heads interview on YouTube.)