Chuvash Call on Ukraine to Label Russian Actions in Their Republic a Genocide

Paul Goble

    Staunton, Apr. 4 – On the heels of a Ukrainian government decision to recognize Russian actions against the Circassians an act of genocide, leaders of the national liberation movement in Chuvashia, a Christian Turkic republic in the Middle Volga, have urged the Ukrainian parliament to do the same for them.

    The Chuvash move (abn.org.ua/en/analysis/leaders-of-the-national-liberation-movements-of-chuvashia-sent-an-appeal-to-the-verkhovna-rada-of-ukraine-regarding-the-genocide-of-the-chuvash/) suggests that Kyiv’s decision to declare Russian actions against the Circassians a genocide may soon be followed by many others.

    Just how many non-Russians will make such appeals and how rapidly Kyiv will meet them remains to be seen. The Circassians lobbied hard for years to achieve their end, and nations like the Chuvash are less well organized and active. But Kyiv now is giving every sign it will be receptive (abn.org.ua/en/liberation-movements/decolonization-continues-bill-on-support-for-enslaved-nations-recommended-for-consideration-in-the-verkhovna-rada-of-ukraine/).

    If Ukraine does so, then ever more national movements inside the current borders of the Russian Federation will be encouraged and to take additional actions to challenge Moscow’s long and often bloody rule over them, possibly kickstarting national movements that have long appeared repressed or dormant.