Russia is one empire that has been overlooked in the global debate on colonial legacy. Historian Botakoz Kazsymbekova warns Moscow’s invasion is not just aggression, but a continuation centuries-old colonial goals.
Despite its efforts to confront colonialism in Europe, the West has an obvious blind spot: it fails to recognize Russia as Europe’s last colonial power.
About 20 peoples are subjugated under colonial rule in Russia. But Russia’s colonial aspirations don’t end there. Adhering to the familiar imperial logic, it continues to expand its reach by systematically attacking neighbors.
This colonialism goes beyond territorial control and aims to eliminate and replace conquered populations with Russians. Botakoz Kassymbekova, a Kazakh-Swiss scholar, argued at the 2024 Kyiv Arsenal Book Fair that Russian colonialism is fundamentally different from historical Western imperialism. While Western powers sought economic exploitation of Russia, it pursues cultural erasure as well as population replacement.
Kassymbekova reframes events such as the annexation Crimea and war in Ukraine into a centuries-old Russian pattern of colonialism.
Euromaidan Press has examined Kassymbekova’s arguments. They challenge us to rethink Russia’s actions and our response.
What is the difference between colonialism & imperialism?
Botakoz Kassymbekova argues that Russian colonialism is fundamentally different from Western imperialism. To understand this difference, it is important to first distinguish between colonialism and imperialism:
* Imperialism – A nation that interferes in the affairs of other countries for its own interests.
* Colonialism : sending governors to directly govern conquered territories (“men at the spot”).
While many nations pursue global interests, Russia remains today the only major colonial power, directly controlling over 20 ethnic groups (e.g. Tatars Bashkirs Buryats), and attempting occupation of neighboring countries such as Georgia, Belarus Moldova and Ukraine.
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