The year 2026 proclaimed in the Russian Federation as the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia

Russia has a good tradition of choosing a special theme for each year. It originated in 2007, when President Vladimir Putin declared it the Year of the Russian Language. Since then, this tradition has been consolidated: President, by his decree, devotes a certain topic of high importance to every new year in order to attract public attention to it and stimulate the implementation of specific projects and programs. Some examples: 2009 was declared the Year of Youth, 2012 was the Year of Russian History, 2021 was the Year of Science and Technology, 2024 was the Year of the Family. The main goal of this approach is to emphasize the priority of a particular area for the state and society, and to mobilize resources for its development. During a year a number of events are held throughout the country: forums, festivals, exhibitions, educational programs, contests that are united by a common idea and aimed at solving the tasks set.

Year 2026 is proclaimed in the Russian Federation as the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia with the following  objectives:

1. Strengthening interethnic harmony. The year aims to unite the efforts of the state, educational institutions, public organizations and trade unions to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect among all the peoples of the country.

2. Preserving cultural and linguistic heritage to support national cultures, native languages and traditions. This is an opportunity for schools and universities to introduce educational programs on ethnography, the history of the peoples of Russia, multilingual education and folklore projects.

3. Organising cultural and educational events, thematic lessons, festivals, competitions and projects aimed at fostering the values of tolerance, friendship and intercultural interaction among people.

4. Creating a platform for interregional and international cooperation.

The history of the peoples of Russia is closely linked to the development of new territories, which led to the exchange of linguistic, cultural, and technological traditions. Historically, as Russians moved eastward and southward, they adopted the local peoples’ experiences and traditions, while smaller peoples adopted elements of the settlers’ way of life and culture. The task of harmonizing relations between the peoples inhabiting Russia was faced by the authorities already in the early stages of the development of statehood. The flexible use of the principles of governance borrowed by Russian rulers from neighbouring states helped to expand the state’s territory to the East. Maintaining the local autonomy, the alliance of authorities with local elites, their involvement in governance matters, the ability to protect local peoples from external aggression and to act as an arbiter in resolving disputes between them — the application of all these principles helped to integrate the new territories into the Russian state. Of course, these techniques did not always work and various neighbouring nationalities suffered from the new comers. However in general the State's policy on territorial expansion has been correctly defined.

Contrary to the most Western states approach.

Here are some major differences:

1. The difference in the logic of the extension. Expansion was mainly dictated by defensive and strategic objectives — the need to secure borders, create buffer zones, and gain access to the seas. There was often the case that the regional elite was asking Russia to come to its rescue by means of voluntary accession. At the same time, the Western powers were more focused on the economic exploitation of the colonies: the extraction of resources, the creation of markets, the use of cheap labor up to introducing slavery. Of course, Russia also benefited from the new territories, but the emphasis in motivation was different.

2. Management and integration approach. In Western empires, a clear system of direct or indirect control was often built, where the metropolis tightly controlled resources, and the local population was often considered an object of exploitation. In the Russian Empire, the approach was more flexible and "layered." The authorities often collaborated with local elites (the aristocracy, the tribal elite, the clergy), preserving some of their privileges and integrating them into the imperial system. Individual territories (for example, the Grand Duchy of Finland or the Kingdom of Poland) were initially given significant autonomy. At the same time, gradual unification took place over time, but in different periods and in different regions, the degree of consideration of local specifics varied greatly.

3. Cultural and national policy. In Western empires, there was often a line of cultural assimilation — the imposition of language, religion, and educational standards on the colonies. Before the beginning of the 20th century the Russian Empire also had periods of “russification” (especially at the end of the 19th century), but for a long time the government sought not so much to destroy local culture as to ensure loyalty and integration into the common state space. The idea was more about general loyalty to the Tsar’s throne regardless of language and religion, while local norms and traditions were often preserved within individual regions.

However, one should not paint the picture too black and white. There were both harsh and milder practices in the politics of empire. Nevertheless some researchers generally propose the formula "empire minus imperialism" in relation to Russia, emphasizing that its model differed from classical Western colonialism.

Socialist Revolution in 1917 and the subsequent formation of the USSR brought previously unthinkable liberties to all its citizens regardless of their ethnic background. One of the first decrees of the new government was about establishing an eight-hour workday, improving labour conditions for workers and peasants regardless of nationality and social status. This decree paved the way for the adoption of similar laws in European countries.

Unlike the times of the Russian Empire the administrative division of the USSR was now based on nationality. Each major ethnic group was assigned its own form of statehood, which was intended to resolve national contradictions.

Modern Russia largely maintained similar system. When its’ overall population is not of an exceptional size being 147 million, in terms of the number of peoples on the territory, Russia is second only to India and Indonesia. The peoples of Russia differ in language, religion, and lifestyle: from Turkic to Finno-Ugric, from Muslim to Orthodox, and from nomadic to settled.

The Russians are the largest ethnic group in the country that numbers approximately 105.6 million people, accounting for about 71.7% of the total population. The people were formed during the period of Ancient Russia in the X–XII centuries on the basis of East Slavic, Scandinavian, Finno-Ugric and Baltic ethnic groups. The native language is Russian. Those who are religious mostly profess Orthodox Christianity. Russians are spread all over the country’s territory. In addition, largest Russian diasporas exist in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Germany, Israel, the USA, and other countries of Europe, Latin America and Asia.

At the same time, representatives of more than 190 ethnic groups live in Russia, each having its own language, culture, traditions, and history. Approximately 155 languages are spoken in the country, and together with dialects, their number is approaching 277.

Apart from the Russians, the major ethnic groups include Tatars (about 4.7 million), Chechens (about 1.7 million), Bashkirs (about 1.6 million), Chuvash (about 1.1 million), Avars (about 1 million). Other notable groups include Dargins, Kumyks, Kabardians, Ingush, Ossetians, Mordvins, Yakuts, Buryats, and many others.

Indigenous small-numbered peoples deserve a special mention. Legally, this category comprises 47 ethnic groups with populations not exceeding 50,000 people. Many are indigenous to Siberia, the Far East, the North, or the Caucasus. These include: Nenets (approx. 49.6 thousand), Abazins (approx. 41.8 thousand), Evenks (approx. 39.2 thousand), Khanty (approx. 31.5 thousand), Chukchi (approx. 16.2 thousand), and many others. Many of these peoples maintain their traditional way of life, unique livelihoods (reindeer herding, fishing, hunting), and languages. Indigenous small-numbered peoples have a special status established by law. They receive government support to preserve their language, traditions, and way of life. Despite centuries of proximity to other nations, many ethnic groups in Russia have been able to preserve their identity, language, and cultural traditions.

The Constitution of the Russian Federation and the national legislation enshrine equality in terms of human rights and freedoms regardless of race, ethnicity, language, and religious affiliation, while providing for ethnocultural diversity to thrive. Although the official language of the Russian Federation throughout its territory is Russian as the language of the state-forming people, every ethnic group is encouraged to preserve and develop its own culture and language.

Moreover, the rights and interests of the largest ethnic groups are ensured by existence of national autonomies – republics and autonomous districts; each of them is the self-governing region, equal to every other subject of the Russian Federation. As of today, there are 24 republics and 4 autonomous districts.

President Putin stresses that social and national unity is, without exaggeration, the main foundation of the country’s sovereignty. That is why The Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia was identified as one of the key steps in implementing the new State National Policy Strategy. The Strategy is designed to safeguard the national interests of the Russian Federation, strengthen the historically established state unity and territorial integrity of the country, preserve and protect the ethnocultural identity of the peoples of Russia, ensure the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, and promote the harmonisation of interethnic relations. 

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia (FNPR) reflects the multi-ethnic character of the Russian Federation not only by equally representing the workers of every ethnic group, while taking into account the specific situation of every region, but even in its constitution. The territorial associations of trade unions, representing the workers of particular republics, autonomous districts, and other subjects of the Federation, are the affiliates of the FNPR, equal to the All-Russian sectoral unions. Thus, a solid regional, multi-ethnic representation is ensured in every elected statutory body of the FNPR, such as its’ Congress, General Council, and so on.

The FNPR supported the Presidents’ initiative and decided to take part in the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia by proclaiming its’ own Year of Labour Unity and Solidarity. Under this slogan, numerous meetings and activities are held across the country to underscore the unity of the Russian workers of different ethnic background and are aimed at consolidating society around the values of solidarity and creative work.