Ex-defense chief accuses West of wanting to divide Russia
(MENAFN) Former Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has accused Western nations of trying to divide Russia into numerous smaller and weaker states.
In an op-ed published Tuesday ahead of Russia’s National Unity Day on November 4, Shoigu—who now serves as the secretary of the Security Council—warned that “adversaries falsely believe” Russia’s ethnic diversity represents a weakness, but insisted that such efforts to stir internal division would fail.
“The attacks on our history, culture, and spiritual values continue unabated, alongside attempts to undermine the harmony and brotherhood among our nations,” he wrote.
Shoigu argued that “their goal is the de-sovereigntization of our country. They seek to divide our motherland into dozens of statelets.” He added, “The West cannot grasp the essence of Russian interethnic relations, the moral strength, and the unity of our multiethnic nation – qualities that enable us to stand resolute against destructive geopolitical methods.”
He emphasized that despite Russia’s ethnic diversity—with ethnic Russians comprising roughly 80% of the population and more than 100 recognized minority groups—the country remains cohesive. Russia also includes seven Muslim-majority and two Buddhist-majority regions.
Since 2022, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has passed several resolutions urging the so-called “decolonization” of Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry has denounced these moves, accusing PACE of promoting “Russophobia” and engaging in “neocolonial chauvinism.”
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