Any seemingly useful initiative will never become so if it is not developed properly. This can be confirmed by many examples from our present, especially by the Verkhovna Rada’s recent condemnation of Russia’s armed aggression against the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. At the same time, MPs, on behalf of the Ukrainian people recognized the territory of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as temporarily occupied by Russians, as a result of which it lost its state sovereignty and independence. Perhaps such an act was discussed in other international arenas, but the fact remains: only the Ukrainians, having suffered a hostile attack from the Russian Federation more than half a year ago, felt its insidious effect like nobody else and managed to confirm their principled attitude to hostility of the so-called neighbours.
The representatives of the Ukrainian Institute for Global Politics and Law, led by its Director Oleh Bereziuk, went further: they initiated the holding of a round table “Problems and Prospects of De-occupation of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria” on the premises of “Ukrinform”, to which well-known and respected political figures, analysts and diplomats were invited. Among others, representatives of the Independent Analytical Center for Geopolitical Studies “Borysfen Intel” took part in the event. The solidity of such an event was added by the presence of citizens of Chechen origin, who for years had to participate in the former Russian-Chechen wars of the 20th––21st centuries, and now are forced to stay outside their homeland due to the destruction of its statehood and the arbitrariness of the “leadership” ruling there. Some of them are currently participating in the Russian-Ukrainian war on the side of Ukraine, confirming, among other things, the unanimity of Ukrainians and Chechens in their desire to resist the Russians. Such representatives of Ichkeria were given the floor to speak, and some of their famous compatriots, being in exile, had the opportunity to join the conversation using the Internet and express, among other things, words of gratitude for the support of the Ukrainian people.
…Having published the list of those present, Oleh Bereziuk invited them to the microphone and started, according to a sort of tradition, with the speech of Volodymyr Vasylenko — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, Doctor of Legal Sciences, ex-judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The list of titles and jobs of Volodymyr Andriyovych speaks for itself. His professionalism and knowledge are undeniable, as confirmed by the questions he raises before the audience. He did not betray his principles this time either. Thus, he called the resolution adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on October 18, 2022, an act of our political support and recognition of Ichkeria. He briefly and meaningfully reminded the history of Russian wars in the Caucasus, which never stopped under the rule of the Russian Empire and continue in one form or another today.
— In late 20th century, when the Soviet Union was disintegrating, Chechens were among the first to seek independence for their state, and they tried to do everything for it, the armed struggle included, so independence was the most important thing for their people. Paying tribute to the desperation of such a fierce struggle, one cannot help saying that such a confrontation turned into a genocide, the perpetrators of which were the Russians, — Volodymyr Vasylenko pointed out in his speech.
But the Ambassador also emphasized that support for the Chechens of Ukraine alone is not enough. It is necessary to develop a great movement that will simultaneously lead to the destruction of the perpetrator of genocidal actions — Russia. After all, it always seeks to prevent independence of those whom it once hypocritically called “sisters”, and today has turned those “sisters” into subjects to attack.
Volodymyr Vasylenko also pointed to the “logic” of Russia’s aspirations, when it does its best to establish itself as a unitary state on the former territory of the USSR, and at the same time demands the opposite from others, in particular, Ukraine. Therefore, the Ambassador offers Ukraine to approve the state concept of supporting enslaved peoples within the Russian Federation and draw up a kind of plan for its implementation. It will be beneficial for everyone, including the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria…
Volodymyr Vasylenko was supported by other speakers, in particular, MP Yehor Cherniev, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Anton Korynevych. Candidate of political sciences Mykhailo Basarab and Serhii Vysotskyi, MP of Ukraine of the 8th convocation, known for their meaningful speeches on Ukrainian TV channels, believed it to be appropriate to pay attention to the special significance of the political steps taken by the Ukrainian leadership. After all, such steps concern almost all nations living in the Caucasus and are considered the most capable of continuing the struggle for their freedom.
“It will be wrong if Ukraine declares on the international stage that it is necessary to liberate indigenous peoples in order to destroy Russia”, Mykhailo Basarab said in his speech. In his words, “…it should be noted that the liberation of the indigenous peoples of Russia is not just realization of their legal right to self-determination, but also the only chance to survive. Because Russia is pursuing a policy of assimilation and physical extermination of indigenous peoples”. The well-known political scientist also raised the topic of training armed formations of those Caucasian peoples who will liberate their republics after the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
In one way or another, this was voiced by Ibrahim Yangulbaiev — the coordinator of the Chechen opposition movement “Adat”, Akhyad Idigov — a Chechen politician, chairman of the Presidium of the Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (in exile), Speaker of the Parliament of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (1993–1997); Muslim Madiev — the president of the international charitable foundation “Ichkeria”, a participant in the First and Second Chechen Wars, Hero of Ichkeria; Akhmad Alviev — the General Representative of the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in Ukraine.
Alla, the wife of the first President of the Chechen Republic Ichkeria Dzhokhar Dudayev, was able to join the work of the round table with the help of the Internet.
According to the well-known Ukrainian politician and Ambassador Volodymyr Ohryzko, who also participated in the online meeting, Ukraine and Ichkeria currently have similar problems. Without foreign assistance to Ukraine in its war with the Russian Federation, Ichkeria cannot be helped either. After all, if Ukraine wins in such a confrontation, everyone who fights against the Russian attackers and dreams of gaining independence will celebrate the victory. Therefore, the Chechens, who are now forced to emigrate, also need to popularize the mentioned resolution and oppose the “idea” spread in the capitals of Western Europe, that “Russia must continue to exist in order for it to become democratic one day”.
“But this should never happen”, said Volodymyr Ohryzko. — “Because the time has come for Russia to disintegrate, from which everyone will benefit and will be able to achieve a dignified existence in the future”.
“Freedom of Ichkeria is a matter of time”, Ibrahim Yangulbaiev said in his speech, “and a matter of support from the world community, which we need, weapons included”. But the positive thing is that our youth longs for freedom, does not put up with the oppression. And we are very grateful to Ukraine for supporting us in our struggle”.
As you can see, de-occupation of Ichkeria remains on the agenda, as does the issue of ensuring peace and stability in the Baltic-Black Sea and Caspian regions. And when the peoples inhabiting those regions aspire to be independent, they will achieve their goal, no matter what forces try to prevent them. And the resolution of our Verkhovna Rada, adopted on October 18, 2022, became the step that democratic countries in the world should support. After all, the Chechens have neighbors in the Caucasus, who also need support in the fight against Russia.
Round Table “Problems and Prospects of De-occupation of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria”
