Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was the final wake-up call to the world that Russia is a violent colonial empire that threatens not only its neighbours and the international community at large, but also its own indigenous peoples who have been disproportionately impacted by this war. The only scenario under which Russia’s indigenous peoples have a future is for the Russian Federation to be fully decolonised: politically, economically, culturally and mentally.
Since 2022, URALIC Centre has aligned itself with the wider movement for Russia’s decolonisation, having engaged and cooperated with the following networks:
Erzya National Movement
In September 2022, URALIC Centre hosted the Erzya National Congress in Otepää (Estonia). The Congress helped reinvigorate and refocus the Erzya national movement. The Congress adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, calling on Erzya men not to participate in the war on Russia’s side.
Erzya National Congress in Estonia received wide media coverage:
“Russia’s small-numbered peoples are beginning to secede from Moscow” (Postimees, in Estonian)
“Erzya National Congress surprised with its concreteness” (Postimees, in Estonian)
“Estonia became the center of gravity for Finno-Ugric peoples from Ukraine and Russia” (ERR, in Russian)
“Erzya National Congress discussed independence for the Erzya People” (Idel.Realii, in Russian)
“Erzya Congress Calls for Pursuing Independence from Russia” (Window on Eurasia by Paul Goble, in English)
Free Nations League (FNL)
Free Nations League is an alliance of ethnic and regional movements advocating for the real sovereignty of peoples and territories within Russia, the realization of the right to self-determination, and the creation of independent democratic states.
In April 2024, URALIC Centre hosted the 1st Congress of the Free Nations League (FNL) in Otepää, Estonia. As a result of the Congress, the Free Nations League adopted its Statutes, Guiding Principles and Activity Plan.
Selected media coverage of the Congress:
“The first Congress of Russia’s independent national movements was held in Otepää” (ERR, in Estonian)
“Congress of the Free Nations League in Otepää: Russia is at the brink of collapse” (ERR, in Russian)
“Free Nations League sees signs of the end of Russia as we know it” (Postimees, in Estonian)
“Congress of Free Nations League was held in Estonia” (Ideal.Realii, in Russian)
Forum of Free Nations of Post-Russia
Forum of Free Nations of Post-Russia is a decolonial platform for analytics, communication and discussions. URALIC Centre, represented by Oliver Loode, has participated as speaker or moderator in the following public events organised by the Forum:
- 8th Forum in Paris (14 October, 2023): Global Benefits of Post-Russia – speaker (online)
- 10th Forum in Washington, D.C. (16 April, 2024): Russia’s Rupture and Western Policy) – speaker (in person)
- 11th Forum in Vilnius (14 June, 2024): Scenarios for Post-Russia’s regions – speaker (in person)
- 12th Forum in Taipei (18 September, 2024): Security and Development in East and Southeast Asia – moderator of panel “Fostering global solidarity: free Post-Russia nations and indigenous peoples of Taiwan and the broader Asia-Pacific region
Oliver Loode’s statements at Forums in Paris, Washington, D.C. and Vilnius have been published in the anthology “Free Nations, New States: The End Stage of Russian Colonialism” edited by Janusz Bugajski.
Partners in Decolonisation
URALIC Centre is open for new collaborations and partnerships with organisations, movements and individuals who are serious about the need to decolonise Russia and to thereby support the right to self-determination of Russia’s indigenous peoples, in line with international law and norms.
