“ISW suggests that the Kremlin is likely to use this new strategic document to justify its calls for the removal of the Ukrainian government”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
As noted in the ISW report, this document first mentions “Russophobia,” which the document defines as “unfriendly, prejudiced, and hostile” attitudes and “discriminatory actions” against Russian citizens, language, and culture by states unfriendly to Russia.
The 2024 document, unlike the 2020 version, also calls Ukraine the main source of extremism and accuses it of spreading neo-Nazi ideas. The document states that Russia needs to “eliminate” the source of extremist threats originating from Ukraine.
Analysts note that in February 2022, when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he declared that Russia was “denazifying” Ukraine – an attempt to justify the removal of Ukraine’s legitimate, democratically elected government.
References in the document to “Russophobia” and “discrimination” of Russian citizens, language and culture also coincide with the recent thesis of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that such alleged discrimination by the current Ukrainian authorities is the “root cause” of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which must be considered in any future negotiations.
The strategy document also contains points that will resonate with Russia’s pro-war ultra-nationalist community, likely part of the Kremlin’s efforts to appease and win over this key constituency. The document claims that migrants in Russia are engaged in illegal activities that contribute to the spread of extremism in unspecified federal subjects of Russia.
The document calls on Russia to strengthen its migration policy, including by combating “propaganda activities” that take place in places where migrants live. The document also calls on Russia to adjust educational programs in the South Caucasus and Central Asia to prevent the spread of Russophobia.
Analysts recall that Russia’s ultra-nationalist blogger community has repeatedly called on Russia for tougher migration policies and complained of “Russophobia” in former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan.
On December 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on a new “Strategy for countering extremism in the Russian Federation.” Putin signed the latest iteration of this strategy in 2020.