Within Russia
Russia's recognition of the Georgian breakaway regions has given rise to talk of separatism in the Northern Caucasus within Russia's borders. According to a declaration addressed to the Council of Europe by Russian human rights activists, "the situation in the North Caucasus republics became greatly more agitated since the war between Russia and Georgia in the South Caucasus." In Ingushetia, Ingush opposition activist, Magomet Khasbiyev in an interview with radio station Ekho Moskvy called for Ingushetia to separate from Russia, claiming that "we must ask Europe or the US to separate us from Russia. If we aren't acceptable to this country, we don't know what else we should do."
President Dmitry Medvedev does not express concern at the possibility of renewed separatist sentiments in the Caucasus and believes such scenarios can only arise from abroad. In an interview with Euronews he said that he "does not see any such danger so long as people abroad do not meddle in these issues, thinking up various scenarios for dismembering Russia."
Read more about this topic: Controversy Over Abkhazian And South Ossetian Independence, As A Precedent in Other Disputes
Famous quotes containing the word russia:
“How can I explain the difference to me between America and Russia?... the America I’ve known is a place where men on horseback escort union marchers, the Russia I’ve known is a place where men on horseback slaughter young Socialists and Jews.”
—Golda Meir (1898–1978)
“To believe that Russia has got rid of the evils of capitalism takes a special kind of mind. It is the same kind of mind that believes that a Holy Roller has got rid of sin.”
—H.L. (Henry Lewis)