Ichkeria is a Turkic name for the central part of Chechnya. According to the legend, all "pure" Chechen teips originated there.

When Chechen separatists proclaimed the independence of the Chechen Republic, they used the name Chechen Republic of Ichkeria (ChRI) to refer to independent Chechnya.

The Federal Russian government refuses to recognize the separatist Chechen government. There are no countries that officially recognize Chechen independence, in part to avoid jeopardizing their diplomatic relationships with Russia, and also to avoid encouraging separatists inside their own borders. In the past, Chechen independence was recognized by the Taliban, but the ChRI never recognised the Taliban in turn. The Islamic State of Afghanistan has never recognized Chechen independence.

In 1997, the Russian Federation has undersigned the Peace Treaty and Principles of Interrelation between Russian Federation and Chechen Republic of Ichkeria which can be seen as a recognition of the ChRI by Russia. After the 1999 Chechen raid on Dagestan lead by Shamil Basayev and the consequent Second Chechen War, the Treaty is considered no longer in force.

External link

• Text of the Peace Treaty