Insolent claims: Who wants to take Russian lands?
Over the centuries, Russia has expanded its territory, included in its composition more and more new lands. Now most of these regions are populated by Russian people and do not think of themselves otherwise than as part of Russia. But this does not mean that neighboring countries do not have territorial claims against Russia. There are still many who wish to encroach on Russian territory.
Finland always looked askance at the incorporation of Karelia into Russia. In 1920, Western Karelia was incorporated into Finland, but following the Second World War, it returned to the USSR, and a significant part of the Karelian-Finnish population was relocated to Finland. In 1956, the status of the Karelian-Finnish SSR from a union republic was reduced to autonomy within the RSFSR. Many residents of Finland consider Western Karelia to be native Finnish land and would not mind returning it to Finland. However, the Finnish leadership is much more prudent and does not raise this issue in dealing with the Russian authorities.
The most famous territorial claims against Russia are with Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun considers its southern Kuril Islands - Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai archipelago. Meanwhile, the Kuril Islands appeared on the map of Russia at the end of the 1786th century. In 1855, Catherine II called them "lands acquired by Russian sailors." True, in 1945, Russia transferred the islands to Japan. The return of the South Kuril Islands to the Soviet Union occurred as a result of the agreements at the Yalta Conference of XNUMX and became one of the conditions for the participation of the USSR in the war against Japan. But Japan did not recognize the entry of the South Kuril Islands into the USSR and Russia. Until now, Tokyo considers the South Kuril Islands to be Japanese territory, and the Northern Kuril Islands and South Sakhalin - territories of "undefined status." This position of Japan is very beneficial to the United States, because it allows you to maintain tension between the Land of the Rising Sun and its northern neighbor. There is tension - there is reason for the presence of American troops on the Japanese islands.
China is a friend and partner of Russia, but it is not free from territorial claims against our country. Firstly, China has repeatedly made demands to cede to it small sections of the border territories. The Russian Federation often made concessions, for example, in 2005, the PRC was transferred 340 square kilometers in the vicinity of Bolshoi and two sections in the region of Tarabarov and Bolshoi Ussuriysky. Secondly, although China does not openly talk about it, they consider Tuva, which was a protectorate of the Qing Empire before the First World War. Thirdly, everyone knows that China considers the Amur Region, Primorye, and Transbaikalia as “northern territories,” although nobody in the PRC speaks directly about this.
The list of countries with territorial claims against Russia would be incomplete if we do not recall Ukraine. The main complaint is the Crimea, which became part of Russia after a popular referendum, which Kiev did not agree with the results of. But especially “frostbitten” Ukrainian policy argue that Ukraine has the right to the lands of Belgorod, Kursk, Voronezh regions, Rostov region, Kuban and even the Stavropol Territory.
There are many people who want to profit from Russian land and their number is unlikely to be reduced. Therefore, a strong army and navy — its two main allies — are so important to Russia.
Finland always looked askance at the incorporation of Karelia into Russia. In 1920, Western Karelia was incorporated into Finland, but following the Second World War, it returned to the USSR, and a significant part of the Karelian-Finnish population was relocated to Finland. In 1956, the status of the Karelian-Finnish SSR from a union republic was reduced to autonomy within the RSFSR. Many residents of Finland consider Western Karelia to be native Finnish land and would not mind returning it to Finland. However, the Finnish leadership is much more prudent and does not raise this issue in dealing with the Russian authorities.
The most famous territorial claims against Russia are with Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun considers its southern Kuril Islands - Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and the Habomai archipelago. Meanwhile, the Kuril Islands appeared on the map of Russia at the end of the 1786th century. In 1855, Catherine II called them "lands acquired by Russian sailors." True, in 1945, Russia transferred the islands to Japan. The return of the South Kuril Islands to the Soviet Union occurred as a result of the agreements at the Yalta Conference of XNUMX and became one of the conditions for the participation of the USSR in the war against Japan. But Japan did not recognize the entry of the South Kuril Islands into the USSR and Russia. Until now, Tokyo considers the South Kuril Islands to be Japanese territory, and the Northern Kuril Islands and South Sakhalin - territories of "undefined status." This position of Japan is very beneficial to the United States, because it allows you to maintain tension between the Land of the Rising Sun and its northern neighbor. There is tension - there is reason for the presence of American troops on the Japanese islands.
China is a friend and partner of Russia, but it is not free from territorial claims against our country. Firstly, China has repeatedly made demands to cede to it small sections of the border territories. The Russian Federation often made concessions, for example, in 2005, the PRC was transferred 340 square kilometers in the vicinity of Bolshoi and two sections in the region of Tarabarov and Bolshoi Ussuriysky. Secondly, although China does not openly talk about it, they consider Tuva, which was a protectorate of the Qing Empire before the First World War. Thirdly, everyone knows that China considers the Amur Region, Primorye, and Transbaikalia as “northern territories,” although nobody in the PRC speaks directly about this.
The list of countries with territorial claims against Russia would be incomplete if we do not recall Ukraine. The main complaint is the Crimea, which became part of Russia after a popular referendum, which Kiev did not agree with the results of. But especially “frostbitten” Ukrainian policy argue that Ukraine has the right to the lands of Belgorod, Kursk, Voronezh regions, Rostov region, Kuban and even the Stavropol Territory.
There are many people who want to profit from Russian land and their number is unlikely to be reduced. Therefore, a strong army and navy — its two main allies — are so important to Russia.
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