Putin has often used historical borders to justify his invasion of Ukraine, arguing that Russia has a claim to the country, which should not be seen as an independent state at all.
The argument most recently came up during the much talked about – and criticized – interview American journalist Tucker Carlson did with Putin.
For about 30 minutes, the president lectured on Russian history and how the country’s borders have changed over the centuries. The Russian president claimed, among other things, that Russian state formation took place already in the 8th century and that Ukraine is an artificial state, created at the beginning of the 20th century.
Accused of lying
The history lesson, which has been viewed over a hundred million times, has been criticized by several researchers as misleading. Among others by Sergey Radchenko, who is a historian at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
In an interview with the BBC, Radchenko states that Putin’s claim is “a complete lie”.
– Vladimir Putin tries to construct a story backwards and says that Russia as a state began its development in the 9th century. One might as well say that Ukraine as a state began its development in the 9th century, exactly with the same kind of evidence and documents, says the historian and continues:
– He tries to use certain historical facts to construct a state-centric narrative that would favor Russia as opposed to all alternative agglomerations.
Mongolian map joke
Others choose to joke with the Russian president. Tsakhia Elbegdorj, who was Mongolia’s president between 2009 and 2017, has published maps on his social media showing how big his country has been historically – and that it has, for periods, controlled large parts of what is now Russia.
“After Putin’s speech. I found a Mongolian historical map. Do not worry. We are a peaceful and free nation,” writes Elbegdorj on X.
The Mongol Empire was once the largest in the world. Its territory covered much of Eurasia and included present-day China, much of Russia, and Ukraine.
Have met Putin
Elbegdorj has long been clear about his support for Ukraine, reports Business insider.
“The democracies of the world must come together with even greater determination to declare that freedom is not negotiable and to give Ukraine the weapons it needs to win,” the Mughal leader said last February.
– I know that Putin does not tolerate freedom. I have sat with him on many occasions. He despises differences and competition. He fears a free Ukraine. As a deep narcissist, he could not afford to see more successful and prosperous neighbors, he continued.