Ukrainian Government Calls on Nations of the World to Recognize Circassian Genocide

Paul Goble
    Staunton, Mar. 28 – In conformity with a January 2025 resolution passed by the Verkhhovna Rada and despite all the challenges Kyiv now faces, Denys Shmygal, Ukraine’s prime minister, has approved a message to all countries of the world to recognize what the Russian government did to the Circassians in the 19th century as an act of genocide.
    Shmygal signed an order specifying that such an appeal will “help raise awareness about the genocide of the Circassian (Adyghe) people, as well as other crimes committed by the Russian Empire, by disseminating knowledge about such crimes in educational and research programs” (kmu.gov.ua/npas/pro-zvernennia-do-uriadiv-derzhav-svitu-shchodo-spryiannia-pidvyshchenniu-rivnia-s270280325).
    His words represent a serious political victory by Circassian organizations who have sought such a declaration for more than a decade and equally important a reaffirmation of Kyiv’s commitment to support peoples within the current borders of the Russian Federation who have been and continue to be oppressed by Moscow.  
    For background on the Circassian effort and Ukrainian moves to support it and other national movements inside the Russian Federation, see  windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/01/ukrainian-parliament-declares-russian.htmlm windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2022/11/kyiv-now-reaching-out-to-circassian.html and windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2024/08/ukraine-set-to-adopt-comprehensive.html.)