The First International Catherine II Forum was held in Moscow. In the context of the current geopolitical situation, participants drew historical parallels between two documents that influenced Russia’s development: the manifestos of Catherine II “On the Acceptance of the Crimean Peninsula, the Island of Taman and the entire Kuban side under the Russian State” and “On the Invitation of Foreigners to Russia”.
The meeting’s moderator, Maria Butina, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs and a deputy from the “United Russia” faction, suggested considering the latter manifesto in the context of the return of historically Russian lands to the state’s borders, particularly regarding the integration of the new regions – the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.
“The President has set the task of doing everything to integrate the historical lands into the economic, legal, educational, and cultural space of our country as quickly as possible. In the new regions, we are introducing Russian standards across all sectors. All political forces represented in the State Duma share this approach. We have passed more than 50 laws concerning various spheres of legislative regulation in the new subjects of the Federation. Currently, enterprises and subdivisions of federal executive bodies, federal courts of general jurisdiction, and arbitration courts are being established. Since March 1, 2023, pensions in the LPR, DPR, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions have been paid according to Russian norms. If citizens of the new territories previously received higher payments than in Russia, they are retained”, said Vladimir Vasilyev, head of the “United Russia” faction in the State Duma.
The parliamentarian noted that residents of the new regions also receive child benefits, free medical care, and are entitled to benefits for those affected by political repression, radiation exposure, and those who participated in the liquidation of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
“This work is being carried out under very difficult conditions, which some have tried to create for us. Consider this – 17.5 thousand sanctions have been imposed against Russia. The State Duma has passed more than two hundred laws that have allowed us to significantly improve the economic situation, strengthen defence capabilities, and interethnic relations. Russia has mobilised to confront the difficulties being imposed upon us, while, not hiding it, await our economic collapse and defeat on the battlefield. It is becoming increasingly obvious, and not just to our analysts, that everything is happening exactly the opposite. There is strength in truth”, Vasilyev emphasised.
The deputy also noted the importance of a consolidated position among parliamentarians not only in the State Duma but also in the new regions.
“We are in constant contact. The process is proceeding in the interests of the people living in these territories and in the interests of Russia. And it will lead to the strengthening and development of these territories as part of Russia”, the parliamentarian summarised.
Maria Butina stated that more and more foreigners are coming to Russia, attracted by the cultural diversity historically inherent in our country.
“We are not about permissive Western multiculturalism, nor about the American “melting pot”. We are about a united family: we have many peoples, but one motherland. A current challenge of national policy is the formation of an all-Russian identity in the new regions of the Russian Federation, especially among children who were deprived of a proper historical education. The principles of the Supreme Manifesto still define our diplomacy. We invite to Russia everyone who wants to become part of our large multinational family”, the deputy noted.
The Catherine Forum programme concluded with the plenary session “Russia in the role of a ‘new ark’ for Europe and the entire world”, where the moderators of all nine sections presented the key points from the discussions and summarised their outcomes.