While Russia is nominally a federation, in practice it has functioned as a centralized unitary state, especially under the authoritarian regime of Vladimir Putin.
[1][2][3][4] Movements in Russia to establish real federalism or regional autonomy are suppressed by authorities, who label proponents of federalism as "dangerous" separatists.
The republics declared their own sovereignties, but remained a part of the Russian Federation, and the treaty was "sharply skewed toward centralism".
Additionally, the 1993 Constitution of Russia abolished these sovereignties altogether, and after changes in the government, leaders of federal subjects began being appointed by Moscow.
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