Kadyrov Criticizes Polish Prime Minister for Comments on Chechnya's Independence

The leader of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, has criticized Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who stated that Chechnya deserves to be an independent state, according to meduza.io.

In an interview with French channel LCI, Morawiecki said that some nations in Russia are living as if in a 'prison'. He remarked, 'Certain regions of Russia can be liberated, such as Chechnya. They can achieve independence. They have fought for freedom for centuries and have been ardently striving for it for decades. I believe this region deserves independence.'

Kadyrov responded on his Telegram channel, asking, 'He says we should support Ichkeria. My question is, where were you when we were fighting for Ichkeria when we were defending the interests of independence? Why did European countries, including Ukraine, not support us, and suddenly decided to support a state that does not exist today?'

The Chechen leader pointed out that 'he was a passionate Ichkerian, and it was the West that prevented them from building a state.'

In a video message, Ramzan Kadyrov mentioned that the residents of Chechnya have decided to 'live within the Russian Federation,' and this is 'the people's choice.' He stated, 'And today, no matter how much we might want to be an independent state, we cannot exist (as a separate state) because we have one and a half million people to feed, clothe, educate, resolve social issues, and engage in other programs and projects. We cannot manage all that. Therefore, in every sense and direction, our people have made the right choice. And every year, every day, we are convinced of this.'