"Independence is not a whim or an ambition. It is the necessary condition of our survival as an ethnic group"

Aslan Maskhadov's quote speaks to the value of self-reliance for a group's survival. He is stressing that independence is not a mere desire or aspiration, but rather a necessity for a group to endure. He is likely referring to the survival of an ethnic group, which is a group of people who share a common culture, language, and history. Without independence, an ethnic group is susceptible to outside forces that might threaten its presence. Independence permits a group to keep its autonomy and protect its culture, language, and history. It also enables a group to make decisions that remain in its benefit, rather than needing to rely on the decisions of an outside force. Simply put, independence is vital for an ethnic group to endure and grow.