State Duma deputy and member of the Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Konstantin Zatulin said that Russia's historical distinctiveness is its ability to unite different peoples. According to him, it is this trait that allowed the country to form as a multinational state with a vast territory.
On preserving unity and threats to the state
Zatulin recalled the periods of the country's collapse in the 20th century: first the end of the Russian Empire amid World War I and the 1917 revolution, and then the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
According to the parliamentarian, it is critically important today to prevent internal divisions, since they could weaken the multinational unity and stability of the state.
In the context of external challenges, the deputy noted that attempts to destabilize the situation in Russia are being made both amid the special military operation in Ukraine and amid internal difficulties, including issues related to migration policy.
Comparison with the position of the top leadership
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a meeting of the Council on Interethnic Relations, emphasized that external forces have throughout history sought to split Russian society in order to eliminate the country as a competitor on the international stage. He stressed that the unity of peoples is a key factor in strengthening Russia's sovereignty.
Context
The speech by Konstantin Zatulin, a State Duma deputy, was devoted to the theme of preserving Russia's multinational unity in the face of internal and external challenges.
