Since the time of

[TeaSpring]

What's the exact meaning of "Since the time of the Empire"? Is it "Since the beginning of the Empire" or "Since the end of the Empire"? For your context, the "Empire" doesn't exist today.

 

[jutfrank]

Please provide the context in which you saw or heard this phrase. Thank you.

 

[TeaSpring]

Please provide the context in which you saw or heard this phrase. Thank you.

"We never wanted to take anything from anyone. Every territory that has joined our country since the time of the Russian Empire did it voluntarily". This is a direct quote from Russian Foreign Ministry website. I'm just trying to know how native English speakers see the exact meaning of "since the time of".

 

[probus]

It means since the empire came to its end. The spokesperson is interested in what has happened since the empire ended, specifically which territories have since been absorbed into what might be called greater Russia.

Please note that I too am not taking any position on the accuracy of the claim, only on the English because we eschew all political opinions in this forum.