Date: 1922-09-26
Source: ru:PSS/v45

ON THE FORMATION OF THE USSR
LETTER TO L. B. KAMENEV FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE POLITBURO OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE RCP(b) 136
26/IX.
Comrade Kamenev! You have probably already received from Stalin the resolution of his commission regarding the incorporation of the independent republics into the RSFSR.
If you haven’t, please obtain it from the secretary and read it without delay. I discussed this matter yesterday with Sokolnikov, and today with Stalin. Tomorrow I will meet with Mdivani (a Georgian communist suspected of “independence”).
In my view, this is an utterly crucial question. Stalin tends to be somewhat eager to rush things along. You—since you once intended to take up this issue and even did a bit of work on it—should give it careful thought; the same goes for Zinoviev as well.
Stalin has already agreed to make one concession: in § 1, instead of “entry” into the RSFSR, we should say:
“Formal unification with the RSFSR into a Union of Soviet Republics of Europe and Asia.”
I trust the spirit behind this concession is clear: we recognize ourselves as equal partners alongside the Ukrainian SSR and the other republics, and together with them, on an equal footing, we enter into a new union—a new federation: the “Union of Soviet Republics of Europe and Asia.”
§ 2 would then likewise require revision. We might envisage the establishment, alongside the sessions of the All‑Russian Central Executive Committee of the RSFSR,
“an All‑Federal CEC of the Union of Soviet Republics of Europe and Asia.”

If the first committee meets once a week and the second meets once a month—or even once every two weeks—it would not be difficult to arrange such a schedule.
What matters is that we do not feed the “independents,” nor do we undermine their independence; rather, we create yet another level, a federation of equal republics.
The second part of § 2 could remain unchanged: those dissatisfied may appeal (to the decisions of the Council of People’s Commissars and the Sovnarkom) to the All‑Federal CEC, without thereby suspending execution—as is done in the RSFSR.
§ 3 could remain as it is, with a revised wording: “They shall merge into All‑Federal People’s Commissariats, headquartered in Moscow, while ensuring that the respective People’s Commissariats of the RSFSR maintain their own representatives—with a small administrative apparatus—in all republics that have joined the Union of Soviet Republics of Europe and Asia.”
Part 2 of § 3 remains unchanged; perhaps we could, for greater equality, state: “By agreement among the CECs of the republics that are members of the Union of Soviet Republics of Europe and Asia.”
As for Part 3, we might consider whether to replace “advisable” with “obligatory.” Or perhaps we could introduce a conditional obligation—perhaps in the form of a request, allowing decisions to be made without a formal request only in cases of “particularly urgent importance.”
As for § 4, perhaps we should also “merge by agreement of the CECs”?
And for § 5, perhaps we should add: “With the establishment of joint (or common) conferences and congresses that are purely consultative in nature—or, at most, advisory in character”?
Corresponding revisions should be made to Notes 1 and 2.
Stalin has agreed to postpone submission of the resolution to the Politburo of the Central Committee until my arrival. I am coming on Monday, October 2nd. I hope to meet with you and Rykov for about two hours in the morning—say, between 12 and 2—and, if necessary, again in the evening—say, between 5 and 7, or 6 and 8.

ON THE FORMATION OF THE USSR
This is my preliminary draft. Based on discussions with Mdivani and other comrades, I will continue to add to and revise it. I earnestly ask you to do the same and to send me your comments.
Yours, Lenin   P.S. Please circulate copies to all members of the Politburo.
Written on September 26, 1922.
First published in 1959.

In Lenin Collection XXXVI

Printed from manuscript