With the referendums held in the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, Kherson, and Zaporizhia under the control of the Russian army in Ukraine, these four regions decided to be connected to Russia. With Moscow's approval of these resolutions, the annexation of the four aforementioned regions was complete.
The annexation of Donetsk and Lugansk has taken place step by step since 2014. Russia first annexed the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in 2014. People's republics were proclaimed in Donetsk and Lugansk. Russia attempted to invade Ukraine in February 2022. It was expected that Kherson and Zaporizhia, which came under the control of the Russian army, would also be added to these rings.
With the annexation of five regions in Ukraine, Russia has severed a large piece of Ukraine. Gradual annexations are described as "salami tactics" in military jargon. Tactics attributed to slicing the salami mean "gaining territories by slicing small pieces at a time."
"Salami tactics" was used as a term and method in Hungary, which came under Soviet Russia's control at the end of the Second World War. In the 1945 elections, the pro-Soviet "Communist Party" received 17 percent, while the rival party received close to 57 percent. Communist Party leader Mátyás Rákosi became Deputy Prime Minister in the coalition government formed under pressure from Moscow. Rakosi proceeded step by step to establish the Communist regime in the country. He described the tactics he used to avoid inciting any reaction from the Hungarian people as "salami tactics". At each step, he was cutting a thin slice of the salami. When the salami was sliced whole, he finally reached his destination.
Even though “Salam tactics” as a term was used by Rakosi, the use of the method dates back to a much earlier era. To give an example, the "Russian Tsardom" annexed the "Crimean Khanate", which was subject to the Ottoman Empire, with salami tactics. With the "Küçük Kaynarca Agreement" in 1774, the legal relationship of Crimea with the Ottoman Empire was broken first. Supposedly, Russia would not interfere in the internal affairs of the Crimean Khanate. Russia has not fulfilled this commitment. Czarina Catherine II, taking advantage of the weakening of the military deterrent of the Ottoman Empire, annexed Crimea in 1783. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the annexation of four regions in 2022. It can be said that it was adapted from Katerina's playbook.
The remarkable detail in this matter was that the U.S. and Europe remained bystanders in the annexation of Crimea in 2014. If we recall, U.S. President Barack Obama said, 'We don't need a war with Russia'. Faced with no effective deterrence, Russia continued to slice the salami.
The next salami tactic took place in 19th century North America. The U.S. had its eyes on Florida under Spanish colonial rule. In the early 19th century, rebellions began in Florida with the covert support of the United States. American settlers took control of parts of Florida. The U.S. argued that it had nothing to do with the riots. The destabilization of Florida, as well as the great trouble in other Spanish colonies, strengthened the hand of the United States. Seeing the chaos in the region as the reason for military intervention, the U.S. attempted to invade Florida in 1817. Florida was easily annexed within a few years, as the Spaniards were also not strong enough to fight the United States. The U.S. seized Florida, allegedly claiming to restore order and bring peace, without engaging in a major war with the Spanish.
Road constructions that cause conflicts and even deaths in some border regions of China that are in conflict with India are described as "salami tactics". According to the Indians, China's attempts are aimed at achieving results with "whimpers". Let us recall that China's constructions on islets in the South China Sea where there is no human population are also described as "salami tactics" by other countries claiming these waters.
Likewise, Athens' attempts to "militarize" some islands step by step, contrary to the "Lausanne Treaty", should be seen as "salami tactics". The attempts of Greece to hoist the flag on many rocks very close to the Turkish borders also fall into this category of tactics. Of course, Türkiye has the power to deter Greece. In the movie “Bully”, ex-bully Ali Osman (Şener Şen) tells the young bully Devran (Kenan İmirzalıoğlu), “The bullet in your gun is turned upside down, son. Be careful not to shoot yourself.” Meanwhile, History also bears witness to the disastrous fate of governments that rely on imperialist powers.
