Quote Originally Posted by hddscan View Post
It looks like the Russian government wants Navalniy to continue his opposition deeds but at the same time they want to limit what he's doing, trying to scare him off a little bit. Russia needs opposition badly but at the same time fears opposition when it gets too "radical".
I suspect that word that should describe this: the government wants to groom Navalniy
Want him to continue 'his opposition deeds?' Why? For distraction? To make it seem like they 'tolerate' "opposition?"

'I suspect that word that should describe this: *the government wants to groom Navalniy*' - this makes sense to me. You might re-phrase this part, though: "I suspect that word that should describe this"

I believe I understand your point, though. They want to 'buy' his allegiance or 'invite him over?' I understand he might be too 'pro-Western' or look at having a more open relationship with the West. How would Putin et al. deal with that? He studied at Yale? The only thing, though, is that many Kremlin cronies have gone abroad for business or education. Many oligarchs have trips to the UK for e.g. So, going to the USA shouldn't bother too many Russians? Imho, the problem is that it's very near-impossible to be a true opposition force in Russia. Ones that try are often jailed. Not threatened with prison, they actually get a sentence. That is, one is to assume that they refuse to be bought off or to 'cooperate.' So, it could be described as such: 'either compromise and share power or get the full extent of the law thrown at you' (even if it is via 'tricks' etc.). Putin has changed the laws or modified them extensively to curb expression and have 'wording' so that they can criminalize any criticism.

One last question: how many Russians do you think have the idea that the government wants to 'groom him?' What do they think are his motives or how would he respond to the Government's policy on him?

In bold display, thousands in Russia protest Alexei Navalny sentence - LA Times
Conviction of Putin foe sets off protest in Moscow

It seems that Western media is prepared to make him look like a persecuted 'political prisoner' so that could be another reason why they don't want to push on him too harshly?