Famous quote by Aslan Maskhadov

"It is not advantageous for Russia in its present state to fight against Chechnya. The army is a mess. It must be made combat ready. That will take time. Russia has a lot of economic, social and political problems much more important than Chechnya"

About this Quote

Aslan Maskhadov's observation reveals a pragmatic and nuanced understanding of Russia's internal situation and its implications for the Chechen conflict. He points out that Russia, at the time, was facing significant challenges within its own borders, militarily, economically, socially, and politically. By describing the Russian army as "a mess" and "not combat ready", Maskhadov highlights the disarray and lack of preparedness within the military institution, implying that engaging in a protracted and intensive conflict with Chechnya would be both costly and risky for Russia. Such a war would require a level of organization, discipline, and supply that Russia currently lacked.

He contends that before considering any further military actions, Russia must first rectify its own internal issues, emphasizing the necessity of time to rebuild and restructure its military forces. This delay in military engagement presents a tacit recognition of the limitations imposed by inadequate preparation and broader systemic weaknesses. It suggests that any aggressive moves toward Chechnya would likely exacerbate Russia's existing problems rather than resolve them, potentially leading to greater instability at home.

Moreover, Maskhadov points to more "important" problems within Russia: economic stagnation, social unrest, and political uncertainty. This implies that Chechnya, although a contentious region, is not the root cause of Russia's difficulties but rather a symptom or a distraction from deeper structural issues. Maskhadov appears to implicitly advise Russian leadership to focus on stabilizing and reforming the country from within rather than resorting to external military campaigns, which could further strain Russia’s already fragile situation.

By framing the Chechen conflict within the larger context of Russia's troubles, Maskhadov aims to shift the narrative from nationalistic militarism to one advocating for internal reform and caution. His words reveal an acute awareness of realpolitik and underscore the costs of war, not just in terms of immediate military outcomes, but also regarding the long-term well-being and stability of the state.

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About the Author

This quote is from Aslan Maskhadov between September 21, 1951 and March 8, 2005. He/she was a famous Politician. The author also have 7 other quotes.
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