A previously unknown archival document has surfaced, revealing an early indication of Vladimir Putin’s perspective on Russia’s borders. The document, originating from the German Foreign Office archives, details a conversation from January 14, 1994 and was reported by “Der Spiegel”.
At the time, Putin held the position of Deputy Mayor of St. Petersburg and was considered a reformer. According to a note taken by the German Consul General in St. Petersburg, Putin emphatically reiterated a previous statement regarding territory. He reportedly asserted that Crimea, eastern Ukraine and northern Kazakhstan, “at least these territories” had “never been foreign to Russia, but always part of Russian territory”. Putin expressed that this concept was difficult for Russians to accept, contrasting with a perspective that might be easier for Germans to understand.
The document is included in a newly released edition published by the Institute for Contemporary History (Verlag De Gruyter Oldenbourg). At that time, significant Russian-speaking populations resided in Ukraine (over ten million) and Kazakhstan (approximately one million).
According to the consular note, Putin acknowledged that the economic and social well-being of these populations was crucial. He attributed the growing popularity of Vladimir Shirinovsky, a right-wing populist politician, to their dissatisfaction. Putin concluded by suggesting that Western observers ought to be cautious about labeling this situation a resurgence of Russian imperialism, stating he saw it as a legitimate expression of Russian interests.
