# Linus Torvalds Stands By Decision Amid Controversy Over Russian Sanctions
In a recent turn of events in the Linux community, a patch put forward by Linux kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman has ignited debate and controversy. The patch, which excluded multiple names from the kernel’s MAINTAINERS file, has garnered attention as many of those omitted were linked to Russian developers or .ru email addresses. The rationale behind the removals? Adherence to international sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
## The Patch and Its Consequences
The patch in question included a brief remark:
> “Remove some entries due to various compliance requirements. They can come back in the future if sufficient documentation is provided.”
This seemingly straightforward two-line statement concealed the wider geopolitical consequences of the move. The “compliance requirements” referenced in the patch tie back to sanctions placed on Russia and Russian firms by the U.S. and other nations. These sanctions, part of the global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have implications that extend to the open-source community.
Removing names from the MAINTAINERS file is crucial as it signifies the increasing intersection of global politics and open-source software development. Although open-source initiatives like Linux have generally functioned outside national boundaries and political conflicts, this occurrence underscores how international events can impact even the most decentralized and collaborative environments.
## Legal Compliance and Sanctions
The choice to eliminate Russian developers from the MAINTAINERS file was made with careful consideration. As stated by kernel developer James Bottomley, the Linux Foundation sought legal counsel on the matter. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) keeps a registry of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN). Individuals or entities on this list face limitations, and any collaborations with them must align with these sanctions.
In this instance, the developers removed from the MAINTAINERS file were either directly linked to parties on the OFAC SDN list or were suspected of having connections to them. Bottomley noted that “sufficient documentation” would be necessary to demonstrate that a developer is not affiliated with a sanctioned entity before they could be reinstated.
## Community Reaction and Torvalds’ Reply
The patch caught the attention of the wider Linux community. Numerous developers and contributors raised concerns about the ambiguous nature of the patch and the potential for U.S. legal stipulations to shape the global, open-source project. Some doubted whether the decision was made hastily or underwent adequate scrutiny.
Linux creator Linus Torvalds, recognized for his forthright and often blunt communication style, swiftly entered the discourse. In a reply on the kernel mailing list, Torvalds brushed aside the criticism, asserting:
> “Ok, lots of Russian trolls out and about.”
Torvalds underscored that the decision was straightforward and motivated by compliance with international sanctions, not solely U.S. law. He made it clear that “Russian troll factories” would not sway the decision and that compliance requirements extend beyond just the U.S.
In a subsequent message, Torvalds more directly addressed the geopolitical backdrop:
> “As to sending me a revert patch – please use whatever mush you call brains. I’m Finnish. Did you think I’d be *supporting* Russian aggression? Apparently it’s not just lack of real news, it’s lack of history knowledge too.”
Torvalds’ remarks convey his personal viewpoint regarding the issue and his exasperation with those questioning the decision. He also clarified that he would not engage in conversations concerning legal issues with “random internet people,” whom he suspected might be “paid actors” or influenced by external parties.
## The Broader Consequences for Russian Developers
The exclusion of Russian developers from the MAINTAINERS file has raised concerns about the future of their contributions to the Linux kernel. One affected developer, Serge Semin, who had affiliation with the sanctioned Russian tech firm Baikal, penned a comprehensive farewell note to the kernel mailing list. In his message, Semin identified himself as a “volunteer and hobbyist,” indicating that his contributions were not linked to any official position with a sanctioned entity.
Baikal, a Russian chip manufacturer that endeavored to develop ARM CPUs, filed for bankruptcy in 2023, complicating matters further for developers connected to the company. Although the names of these developers have been omitted from the MAINTAINERS file, their past contributions to the Linux kernel remain intact.
This is not the first occasion that sanctions against Russia have impacted the Linux community. In 2022, networking patches from developers associated with Baikal were turned down by one subsystem maintainer, though other submissions from the firm found acceptance elsewhere in the kernel. The sanctions have exerted a broader influence on the Russian tech sector, which has suffered significantly due to restrictions on access to technology and international collaboration.
