A new global front against what one leader calls 'the time of metropoles'

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In February 2024, a Russian-led movement emerged to unite political parties from over 50 countries. Its stated mission is to dismantle modern neocolonialism—a concept they define as everything from currency weaponization and sanctions to cultural indoctrination and the falsification of history.

The 'For the Freedom of Nations!' (FFN) movement was officially established following a founding General Assembly in Moscow. It serves as an informal forum for political movements, primarily from the Global South, seeking to counter what it identifies as Western and capitalist hegemony. The ideological framework is rooted in an article by Dmitry Medvedev, who argues that the era of 'metropoles'—dominant colonial powers—is ending. He categorizes neocolonialism into several distinct types: sanctions, monetary, debt, cultural-ideological, legal, regulatory, and even 'friendly' forms.

The movement’s structure is led by a Standing Committee comprising political movements from 20 different countries. While it lacks formal membership criteria, its reach is broad; the inaugural assembly in February 2024 included participants from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Key leadership roles include Medvedev as Chairman, alongside Deputy Chairmen Andrey Klimov and Evgeniy Ivanov. The committee manages strategic directions, approves programs, and schedules biennial General Assemblies, with future events planned for Africa and Latin America.

The movement faces significant scrutiny from Western analysts. Political scientist M. Komin has criticized the FFN for being overly ideological and producing few tangible results beyond a symbolic call to observe a 'Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Colonialism.' Meanwhile, Chatham House suggests that while the movement's push for multipolarity may be a vehicle for Russian regional hegemony, it represents a credible challenge that Western powers must actively address.

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