A correspondent of the Heimokansain Liitto visited the latest Free Nations of Post-Russia Forum – a platform for peoples and regions seeking independence from the Russian state. The Forum featured activists and experts united by a vision of an end to Russian colonialism, as well as an esteemed member of the Ukrainian parliament. 

The priority

One of the main issues the Forum’s participants spoke of is an issue which the Finnish reader will certainly be familiar with. That is, a lack of understanding about Russia in Europe. Hans Petter Midttun, former Norwegian military attache to Ukraine and a security expert, said that the three decades of peace have negatively influenced the Europeans’ knowledge of Russia. This couldn’t be more true when you look at the past Russian-German economic cooperation or other policy decisions that increased Europe’s dependence on Russia. 

At the same time, there was an important historical lesson the audience was reminded of. The Soviet collapse was unexpected and Europe was not prepared to face it. Perhaps this is part of the reason why today Russia is posing a threat to free Europe yet again; only a few decades after trying to pursue a more democratic course. Anna Fotyga, a Polish politician and former member of the European Parliament, spoke of the need to improve the global understanding of Russia – both EU’s and NATO’s. “Danger is extremely close, we have to wake up now,” said Fotyga reflecting on the Russian threat. 

Without a doubt, a better understanding as well as better readiness are crucial for European defense. If some European countries are not on board, it is much harder for Europe to effectively act against Russia. If some European countries keep trading and cooperating with Russia, the money Putin earns will be used to invade Russia’s neighbours. And that inevitably means both Finland and Estonia among others. For countries that border the aggressor, raising awareness about the threat is a security policy as much as investing into defense capabilities. 

A source of hope 

If some European states do not understand Russia well, and thus wish to support it or stay neutral, then Ukraine is a country where those colonized by Russia and threatened by its aggression find understanding and support. Having similar experiences with the imperialist threat, Ukrainians lend a helping hand to those who live in Russian captivity. The Forum was visited by Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a Ukrainian MP from the Holos party, who spoke about the country’s effort to oppose Russian colonialism. 

He noted that support for decolonizing Russia is universal in Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament that is, and that President Zelensky is also on board. Practically, Ukraine works on recognizing genocides committed by Russia and strives to give the colonized nations an international voice. Additionally, it allows the colonized nations to form national battalions within the Ukrainian military. One of the most active nations using that opportunity is the Chechens who have several military formations in the AFU. In fact, the Rada even recognized Chechnya as a territory occupied by Russia. 

Aida Abdrakhmanova, head of the Tatarstan Independence Committee, said in an interview that Ukrainian help is crucial when fighting for human rights and representation of the captive nations. Particularly, she credited Ukraine with aiding supporters of Russian decolonization in the Council of Europe (PACE). Abdrakhmanova described the Ukrainian effort to get the captive nations represented there. Traditionally, PACE has only given voice to the Russian opposition, that could also be described as the Moscow opposition. But, she said, it is important for minorities in Russia to be able to speak for themselves, something that the Moscow opposition does not allow them to do.

Just a few days after the Forum took place, the Council of Europe proclaimed the creation of a dialogue platform with those from Russia who oppose the war and the ruling regime. A part of the seats will be given exclusively to nations colonized by Russia. Furthermore, the PACE intends to give the ethnic minorities a platform of their own later on. This fundamental achievement is undoubtedly the result of Ukrainian effort. For us, this means that in the foreseeable future Finno-Ugric voices will be heard on the highest level of European politics.

False friends, true friends 

Independent Tatarstan’s representative was not the only one critical of the Russian opposition. Yaroslav Yurchyshyn shared the sentiment among other participants. Speaking of the so-called “good Russians,” anti-Putin politicians you usually hear of in the media, he said that they are an artificial opposition that merely wants to replace Putin, as for them he is a competitor for power. 

Yurchyshyn said that this fake opposition’s monopoly must be shattered. By monopoly, he means the fact that the Moscow oppositionaires get exclusive access to European politicians, media, and all kinds of platforms. To help the reader understand why Moscow opposition’s exclusive access is concerning, let it be said that Yuliya Navalnaya, for example, replied with “it’s hard to say” when asked her thoughts about whether supporting Ukraine with weapons is good. 

Such statements prove that Yurchyshyn is right. In place of indecisive politicians who can’t clearly express their support for Ukraine’s struggle against Russian imperialism, those who want real change should be given a voice. 

Sergey Antonov, an advocate for an independent Udmurtia, was also highly critical of the Moscow politicians on both sides. Speaking about Udmurtia’s situation, he noted that the region is rich in oil, coal, and forests, thus having a strong economic base for prosperity. Yet most of the income from these resources goes directly for Moscow, while the quality of life in the region worsens, the population declines, and the Udmurt culture disappears. 

Lamentably, the Russian aggression has worsened the situation for the Udmurt people. Though the region is far from the frontlines, the war contributes to the erasure of the nation. Not only are ethnic minorities drafted disproportionally in Russia, some go voluntarily hoping to make a fortune. Though the choice could hardly be called voluntarily, in practice.

The region’s rural areas, villages where the Udmurts traditionally live, are particularly stricken by poverty. As Antonov explained, the promises that Russia makes to potential soldiers often push people that have no other opportunities to sign up. These unfortunate recruits then find death, and Russia, whose rule impoverished the people of Udmurtia, thus gets rid of them.

As for the Moscow opposition, Antonov said that they had very little to show for following well over a decade of fighting and all the exclusive opportunities they have, the “monopoly” that Yurchyshyn spoke of. Which’s why ultimately, the Free Udmurtia movement that Antonov is one of the founders of, unites both Russians and Udmurts from the region who don’t feel the traditional opposition represents them.

While Russia doesn’t care about the preservation of Udmurt culture or any other minority culture for that matter, the activists are doing their best to help. The Free Udmurtia movement initiated an Albert Razin Award to honor those making a positive impact on the survival and the development of the Udmurt culture. The award is named after Albert Razin, an Udmurt activist who committed an act of self-immolation to protest the russification efforts in the region. 

Ukraine’s example and problem areas identified by activists show that there are many opportunities for Finland to support the Finno-Ugric peoples. Calling Russia out on its colonialist policies and war crimes, supporting movements that resist these, and even simply spreading awareness about the Russian threat can all contribute to the fall of Putin’s empire of evil.