Internationalist Separatism and the Political Use of “Historical Statehood” in the Unrecognized Republics of Transnistria and Donbass

The article offers an analysis of historical politics and political use of the “historical statehood” concept in the unrecognized republics of Transnistria and Donbass. It traces the use of the “historical statehood” by the Transnistrian and Donbass separatist leaders for legitimizing their cause, in their political struggle and expansionist pursuits, and in the appeals to the population of territories under the control of the central governments. A specific strategy of self-legitimization and self-representation, emphasizing multiethnicity and declarative rejection of ethnic nationalism, influences the way these separatist regimes employ historical politics and instrumentalize their “historical statehood.” I suggest naming this approach “internationalist separatism.”