West Aims to Fragment Russia into Weak Statelets – Ex-Defense Chief Shoigu
The West is attempting to divide Russia into multiple weak and dependent states, former Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has claimed.
Shoigu, who now serves as Secretary of Russia’s Security Council, made the remarks in an op-ed published by Argumenty i Fakty on Tuesday, ahead of National Unity Day — a Russian public holiday observed on November 4.
According to Shoigu, Russia’s adversaries “falsely believe” that the country’s ethnic diversity is a source of weakness. However, he argued that efforts to create internal division will fail, citing the unity and resilience of Russian society.
“The attacks on our history, culture, and spiritual values continue unabated, alongside attempts to undermine the harmony and brotherhood among our peoples,” Shoigu wrote.
“Their goal is the de-sovereigntization of our country. They seek to divide our motherland into dozens of statelets. The West cannot grasp the essence of Russia’s inter-ethnic relations or the moral strength and unity of our multi-ethnic nation.”
Russia, where ethnic Russians make up about 80% of the population, is home to over 100 ethnic minorities, including seven Muslim-majority and two Buddhist-majority regions.
Since 2022, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted several resolutions calling for the “decolonization” of Russia. Moscow has strongly condemned these actions, accusing PACE of promoting “Russophobia” and “neocolonial chauvinism.”
