OPINION: Ukraine Brings Hope to Those Under Russian Rule

Russia’s war in Ukraine and the imperialistic nature of President Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical narrative towards former Soviet countries has fed a renewed sense of hope in Chechnya. In many ways Ukraine’s determination to affirm both its sovereign independence and the sanctity of its borders has acted as a catalyst for the Chechens.

For all the efforts Putin’s Russia has exerted over the years, arguing for the dissolution of nation states so that its hegemonic rationale could rise the new norm – the new expression of the Russian Axis – communities have risen in resistance, knowing only too well that their fight would be one of survival.

This is not to say that Russia has not enjoyed many successes. In Chechnya for example, many remain divided, a division which exists well beyond the Chechen war theater and Chechnya’s relationship with Russia; proof certainly that Moscow can buy many favors for its cause. For those Chechens subservient to Ramzan Kadyrov’s regime, loyalty to the Kremlin has translated to the murder and maiming of their brethren.

Leading the narrative and going beyond the Western dithering on the issue of Chechen status, Ukraine recognized both the genocide of the Chechen people and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as a temporarily occupied area on Oct. 18, 2022.

Ukrainian action has gone far beyond what any NATO or Western state was ever able to deliver for the liberation of the Chechens. In turn, soldiers of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria have fought alongside Ukrainians, in the Ukrainian army, against Russian aggression – a level of support no Western nation has, up until now ever felt an appetite for.

Earlier, on Nov. 14, 2022, the trans-Atlantic think tank Henry Jackson Society hosted an event with the head of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Akhmed Zakayev. Together with Marina Litvinenko, Russian campaigner and wife of the murdered former FSB agent, and author and journalist David Satter, they wished to shine a light on a matter too many have shied away from.

Speaking at the event Mr. Zakayev noted: “I am pleased that the world has realized that the policy of appeasement [towards Russia] cannot be continued and strongly condemn the Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

Speaking in London, having returned from Ukraine only two days prior to the event, Zakayev reflected on how the Western response to the events in Chechnya differed from the war in Ukraine.

“The world did not object and did not condemn Russia, but clinically called the murder of the Chechen people ‘internal affairs of the Russian Federation’.”

Russia’s war in Ukraine and the imperialistic nature of President Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical narrative towards former Soviet countries has fed a renewed sense of hope in Chechnya. In many ways Ukraine’s determination to affirm both its sovereign independence and the sanctity of its borders has acted as a catalyst for the Chechens.

For all the efforts Putin’s Russia has exerted over the years, arguing for the dissolution of nation states so that its hegemonic rationale could rise the new norm – the new expression of the Russian Axis – communities have risen in resistance, knowing only too well that their fight would be one of survival.

This is not to say that Russia has not enjoyed many successes. In Chechnya for example, many remain divided, a division which exists well beyond the Chechen war theater and Chechnya’s relationship with Russia; proof certainly that Moscow can buy many favors for its cause. For those Chechens subservient to Ramzan Kadyrov’s regime, loyalty to the Kremlin has translated to the murder and maiming of their brethren.

Leading the narrative and going beyond the Western dithering on the issue of Chechen status, Ukraine recognized both the genocide of the Chechen people and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as a temporarily occupied area on Oct. 18, 2022.

Ukrainian action has gone far beyond what any NATO or Western state was ever able to deliver for the liberation of the Chechens. In turn, soldiers of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria have fought alongside Ukrainians, in the Ukrainian army, against Russian aggression – a level of support no Western nation has, up until now ever felt an appetite for.

Earlier, on Nov. 14, 2022, the trans-Atlantic think tank Henry Jackson Society hosted an event with the head of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Akhmed Zakayev. Together with Marina Litvinenko, Russian campaigner and wife of the murdered former FSB agent, and author and journalist David Satter, they wished to shine a light on a matter too many have shied away from.

Speaking at the event Mr. Zakayev noted: “I am pleased that the world has realized that the policy of appeasement [towards Russia] cannot be continued and strongly condemn the Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

Speaking in London, having returned from Ukraine only two days prior to the event, Zakayev reflected on how the Western response to the events in Chechnya differed from the war in Ukraine.

“The world did not object and did not condemn Russia, but clinically called the murder of the Chechen people ‘internal affairs of the Russian Federation’.”

Appealing to the integrity of the political leaders of the world, and those in a position to influence the course of the war in Ukraine, Mr. Zakayev said, “I am deeply convinced that economic affairs of certain countries and political interests of certain politicians should not be more important than the fate of an entire people. I am also sure that a lack of an adequate reaction from the Western world to the Chechen tragedy is the main reason why Russia poses a threat to the whole world today.”

The role of Ukraine and Ukrainians’ defiance in the face of a more numerous and ruthless enemy did not go unnoticed. Indeed, quoting the first president of Ichkeria, Dzhokhar Dudayev, Mr. Zakayev stressed, “When the sun of freedom will rise in Ukraine, the end of the Russian empire will come.”

He added, “In fact, today, in connection with the war in Ukraine, the world is being reorganized. Ukraine has become the leader of the free world. It’s true. What we are seeing – in this new world there is no place for the Russian empire.”

Fighting in the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces, Chechens from around the world have come to defend Ukraine against Russia and in doing so remind the world of their own continued struggle for the independence of the Chechen people from Russian rule and Russian influence through its axis of client states.

So far, Ukraine is the only country to have recognized the Chechen Republic as a state under Russian occupation. Such a precedent ought to be emulated by nations across the globe because nation states, regardless of their size and/or might, are owed the courtesy of their territorial integrity.

In its fight, Ukraine has given nations within the Russian Federation renewed hope – proof that resistance is not only possible but necessary.

Speaking about the recognition of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria as temporarily occupied by Russia, Zakayev said, “This is an epoch-making event in the history of the formation of the Chechen state. It opens up great opportunities for the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria’s government in exile. This could set a precedent for the European countries to recognize our independence. This also encourages the Chechens to continue their struggle for independence and it inspires other people who are colonial dependents of Russia to fight for their freedom and independence,” adding, “I am sure my people, as never before in their history, are close to restoring their statehood.”

Following up on Zakayev’s comments, Marina Litvinenko, the widow of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian FSB agent poisoned by the Kremlin in 2006 in London, delved into the friendship her husband had developed with Zakayev over the years: proof, she pointed, out that even so-called natural enemies could learn to respect one another and, with time, form unshakable bonds.

“Two former enemies became friends, and not only friends but people who fought for the independence of Chechnya. When my husband was killed, it was maybe because of that.

“Sasha [Alexander] published his book, “Blowing up Russia,” at a time when the Chechen people were blamed for doing these terrorist attacks in Russian towns. His book… tried to find a lot of evidence that this wasn’t true. It was an operation of the security services, who killed their own people. Then, in 2002 when the book was published, it was very difficult to believe. But now, when you ask people if they believe that it was a special operation of the FSB, people would say yes.”

Considering the historic recognition of the Chechen Republic by Ukraine and the commitment of the Chechen government in exile to the defense of Ukraine, Ms. Litvinenko said, ”It’s one more chance [for Zakayev] to get his country back. Unfortunately, it happened because of the war in Ukraine.”

Speaking about the Russian attack on Ukraine, Ms. Litvinenko posited: “People in Ukraine fight for their own independence, for their country, for their future….I am sure, Russia will not be successful in Ukraine.”

She added, “I believe what is happening now in Ukraine, it does not only help Chechnya to rise again, it helps the whole world to understand and rise again but without Putin.”

Stepan Stepanenko, Catherine Perez-Shakdam – research fellow of the Henry Jackson Society

The views expressed are the author’s and not necessarily of Kyiv Post.