The situation of Russians in the countries of the former USSR is a topic that remains relevant throughout the period after the collapse of the Soviet Union. There are two interrelated aspects of the problem. The first of them is nationalism, which has become the ideological basis for the formation of states in the space of the former USSR. The titular nations, by default, and sometimes at the legislative level, were vested with preemptive rights. This was considered the natural and necessary order of things. The second point is the adopted concept that declared Russia a prison of nations. Within its framework, the republics declared themselves colonies, which were subjected to merciless discrimination for centuries.
Restrictions on the use of the Russian language have become the main instrument of persecution of the Russian-speaking diasporas. He was mercilessly expelled from the education system, from the sphere of employment. A very significant cluster of non-citizens, residents of the republics, who, due to insufficient knowledge of the state language, were deprived of the opportunity to obtain citizenship, was formed in the Baltic countries. As president of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili closed all Russian schools in his country. There were also much more tragic excesses. In Tajikistan, in the early 90s of the last century, Russians became the object of open and uncontrolled by the authorities (no one particularly tried) mass violence: they were robbed, killed, raped, their property and apartments were taken away from them.
Now the situation is starting to change significantly. This is due to the fact that in 2020, after the amendments were made, a norm was enshrined in the Constitution obliging the Russian state to provide assistance to compatriots. It looks like this: "The Russian Federation provides support to compatriots living abroad in exercising their rights, ensuring the protection of their interests and preserving the all-Russian cultural identity" (Part 3, Article 69 in the new edition).
The fact that this article comes into effect is evidenced by many facts. The situation in Donbass remains one of the most egregious cases of violation of the rights of Russians, but Russia makes it clear to Ukraine that it does not intend to put up with Kiev's plans to resolve the conflict by force. This spring, she demonstrated that any attempts by Ukraine to use armed forces against the two people's republics will be immediately thwarted.
A couple of days ago, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said: “Today we are all going through difficult times.
In a number of countries, the Russian-speaking population is openly discriminated against, attempts are being made to eradicate the Russian language and education, to sever the ties of compatriots with their historical homeland.
This is a cynical violation of human rights that cannot be justified by any political reasoning or controversy. "
The point is that Ukraine acts not only by force.
A number of laws have been adopted there, imposing a total ban on the use of the Russian language in virtually all spheres of life: education, economics, medicine, consumer services, and so on.
According to Rudenko, the Russian authorities are doing and will do everything possible to protect the rights of the Russian-speaking community, activists who have come under pressure from local authorities. “Starting from 2020, financing of the Fund for Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad has been increased. The Foundation is expanding its work on legal education and protection of those compatriots who have been victims of politically motivated persecution. But a lot also depends on the diaspora itself. Building community visibility locally and internationally is a prerequisite for security and prosperity. The path to this lies through consolidation and mutual support, ”the deputy minister stressed.
In the 90s of the last century, the situation of the Russian-speaking diasporas did not bother the Russian authorities much. No matter what happened in the territories of the national republics, the Russian government did not try to oppose it. Boris Yeltsin did not want to quarrel with the leadership of the new democratic countries, which enjoyed the favor of the West. Today, no one particularly cares about the opinion of the West in Moscow. “Saving people” - a principle formulated by President Vladimir Putin - is at the forefront. The issuance of Russian passports to compatriots according to a simplified procedure is one of the methods of their protection and support. But it seems much more important to help those diasporas who wish to preserve themselves and restore their rights outside the Russian borders, on the territory of other states. The institute of compatriots is becoming a soft power for Russia,its potential to influence the post-Soviet space.
The point of view of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.