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Putin did not specify which specific republics and what “Russian historical lands” he was talking about, only pointing out that “the documents on the creation of the Soviet Union stipulated the right to withdraw from it, but no procedures were established.”
In the same interview, which aired on state television a few weeks before the vote on amendments to the Russian constitution on July 1, he explained that the annexation of Crimea in 2014 “was the democratic election of the people of the peninsula “
“Crimea has always been ours, even from a legal point of view,” he added.
The next day, the Russian President’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, was forced to “translate” what he wanted to say about the “gifts of the Russian people.”
“Russia has no territorial claims to its neighbors,” said Peskov. – I wasn’t talking about gifts. He spoke about the systemic errors of the (Russian) Constitution that had been left in the past, which did not foresee a series of situations. “
Experts: Putin again takes out the “Greater Russia” card
Russian opposition spokesman Gari Kasparov said such speeches by the Russian president meant preparation for another war.
“Putin is openly preparing for another war, speaking of ‘Russian lands’ that do not belong to the former Soviet states. Lithuania has clearly foreseen this. This is why he is so eager to keep Short in power,” he wrote in his account. Twitter
Putin is openly preparing for another war with this talk about "Russian lands" not belonging to former Soviet states. Lithuania clearly implied. This is why he's so keen to keep Trump in power. https://t.co/doOwZGmFGA
— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) June 22, 2020
Kazakh political scientist Sarkan Nurseitov argues that Putin has no choice but to avenge rhetoric, elevate the spirit of patriotism and nationalism.
“Putin’s words are for the internal market, he alludes to the fact that ‘if necessary, we can take other lands, as was the case in Crimea, and we can prove by force that we are an empire, and I am the only one who can guarantee that Russia will not collapse. ‘” There was nothing left in his arsenal to elevate the spirit of the nation, “said azattyq.org.
According to political scientist Dosym Satpayev, talking about Russian historical territories in the former countries of the USSR is what is called “when a politician begins to go down in history, he looks for trouble.”
“It is clear that when Putin’s ratings fell due to the deterioration of the economic situation in the country, he decided to play again the worn card of Greater Russia, which others lost and have already” stolen, “explains the political scientist.
According to political scientist Alexander Cooley, Putin’s “appeal” is also directed at neighboring countries, with the aim of “remembering himself” and “regaining control” in the Eurasian area, where the crisis caused by the pandemic has forced a greater emphasis on internal politics.
“For the past three months, we have been in a situation where foreign relations have abandoned our horizons. They are all focused on internal affairs. It is an attempt to remind the world that Russia still has interests in the region. I think Putin is creating opportunities for himself in the future, strengthening his position in relations with countries. It is a sign that, yes, China exists, we are in the midst of a crisis of struggle, but let us not forget that we are the ones introducing ” order “in this part of the world. We are still here, we will ask him for something and we are waiting for him to follow us,” said the political scientist.
Russian political scientist Fedor Kraseninikov warned that such revisionist statements by V. Putin must be taken very seriously. According to the expert, Putin’s most disappointing speech should have seemed to the Russians themselves.
“It holds the entire Russian nation responsible for the policies of the Soviet government, including its darkest pages, such as the annexation of the Baltic states,” said a Russian political scientist quoted by DW.
According to the expert, such statements by the Russian president are not legally supported in any way, so you wonder: will he not dare to take the next step and really demand ungrateful neighbors to return one of the well-known Russian “gifts” to him ?
Also last week, Putin demonstrated his understanding of his story to American readers: An article was published in The National Interest, mentioning, among other things, the occupation of the Baltic states. Putin wrote that in September 1939, the USSR “relied on appropriate international law” and had an opportunity to “push the western borders even to Warsaw”, but the leadership did not.
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