Batangas State University College of Law
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements In Public International Law
Prepared For !on" Petronila #a$as%&rguelles
Prepared By &guilar%Faytaren' (aricel (" BSU Law ()**+%*,,,-
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
Prologue
The Crimean Conflict refers to a geo-political dispute regarding the autonomous southern Ukrainian Peninsula of the same name. Historically, post-Cold War War political tensions in Ukraine revolved around around Ukrainian and Russian sympathies these are the t!o ma"or ethnic grou groups ps and are divided into northern and southern regi regions ons respecti respectively. vely. #ost recently, anti-Russian activism in the $orth led to !idespread violent uprisings against Russian sympathi%ing politicians. &n res response ponse to these uprisings, paramilitary forces 'earin 'ea ring g a str stron ong g re resem sem'la 'lance nce to Rus Russia sian n for force cess sur surro round unded ed Ukr Ukrain ainian ian military posts of Crimea in the early morning hours of #arch (, )*(+. The Ukrainian interim leadership received pu'lic support fro from m the United tates the same day. Crimea is 'ordered on three sides 'y the lack ea and 'y virtue, presents a economic and military vantage point. &t !as ceded to Ukraine 'y Russia at the end of the oviet ra as reparations follo!ing /** years of Russian rule, 'riefly 'riefly interrupted. 0ue to Russia1s intervention interpreting interpreting recent recent events in Ukraine has led led to real conf confus usio ion n !hic !hich h has has far far too too ofte often n ena' ena'le led d pro propaga pagand nda, a, inaccuracy and references to the past to prevail over a rational analysis. &n a 'id to provide a 'etter understanding of the issues at stake this paper !ill restrict itself to the legal aspects only of the 2uestion, !hich is also an eminently political one. &t does not aim to ignore Russian resentment or the Ukra Ukrain inia ians ns11 !ill !ill to free free them themse selv lves es of the the tute tutela lage ge of thei theirr po!e po!erf rful ul neigh'our or the national interests in 2uestion, it simply analyses the impact on international la!. &ndeed Russian diplomacy has 'een committed to the strict and formal respect of the rules of international la!, la!, and they have sometimes 3clung to it4 in defiance of claims made 'y certain populations. ven in the post-UR period this constant !as adhered adhered to. ut Russian 5oreign 5oreign #inister . 6avrov1 6avrov1s discourse at the #unich ecurity Conference 7 its provocative aspects aside, !hich are of the political domain, mark a deep 'reak !ith traditional Russian diplomacy. ince the econd World War the continent of urope has not e8perienced as dramatic a challenge as Russia1s Russia1s 2uestioning of the 'orders 'orders defined post (9+:, !hich !ere nota'ly confirmed 'y the 5inal ;ct of the Helsinki Conference in (9<:. $either the collapse of the oviet Union, nor the =erman reunification 7 t!o events of capital importance 7 caused a Russian turnaround like the one !e are seeing no!. &nfringements of international la!, the treaties treaties and agreements agreements signed 'y Russia, implied 'y the anne8ation of Crimea on )(st #arch #arch )*(+, then the !ar in the ast of Ukraine follo!ing the conflict in =eorgia in )**>, have led to a deep change in paradigm for the uropean Union and its #em'er tates1 e8ternal policy. 5or !hatever reasons, the recurrence in )**> and )*(+ on the uropean Union1s periphery of the use of armed force and methods that have 'een outla!ed on the continent !as an e8tremely violent !arning, since the latter has 'een 'uilt according to the la! and 'y the la!. urope functions, including in times of difficulty, thanks to the la!, la!, !hich is acce accept pted ed and and respe espect cted ed.. ;nd ;nd this this has has ena' ena'le led d it to en"o en"oyy e8ce e8cept ptio iona nal l
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
sta'ility in vie! of its painful past. y anne8ing Crimea, ?ladimir Putin has violated the fundamental te8ts of the United $ations, the statutes of the Council of urope of !hich Russia is a mem'er, at least t!o regional treaties that esta'lished peace in urope and t!o 'ilateral treaties signed !ith Ukraine, as !ell as the Constitutions of Ukraine and Crimea. ;rticle ) @+ of the Charter of the United $ations founds the principles of the inviola'ility of the tates1 territorial integrity and the prohi'ition of the use of force. everal acts, declarations and agreements concluded !ithin the Argani%ation1s frame!ork recall the imperative of the peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference and the 'an on using threats in international relations. We might nota'ly 2uote resolution )B): 30eclaration on Principles of &nternational 6a! Concerning 5riendly Relations and Cooperation among tates in accordance !ith the Charter of the United $ations4 adopted on )+th Acto'er (9<* 'y the =eneral ;ssem'ly. This te8t even anticipates the 3hy'rid !ar4 in 2uite precise terms. An (+th 0ecem'er (9<+ 'y !ay of a resolution the U$ defined the concept of aggression, including in this several acts !hich Russia has evidently committed in Crimea and in the ast of Ukraine +D Emilitary occupation, invasion, 'om'ardments, the dispatch of armed 'andsF. An reading this document !e also understand !hy Russia, a mem'er of the ecurity Council refuses to admit the presence of several thousand of its troops in Ukraine, !hich !ould inevita'ly lead to condemnation 'y the U$ in virtue of the num'er of te8ts it has signed. ut these precautions !ere not even enough for Crimea !hose occupation !ill, in all likelihood, never 'een recogni%ed 'y the U$, nor 'y most of its mem'ers.
(ilieu
Crimea became part of the Russian Empire in 1783, when the Crimean Khanate was annexed. It was incorporated into the Empire as Taurida b!ast. In 17"#, Crimea was mer$ed into %o&orossi's( )o&ernorate, and in 18*3, it was a$ain separated from it into Taurida )o&ernorate. + series of short!i&ed $o&ernments -Crimean eop!e/s Repub!ic, Crimean Re$iona! )o&ernment, Crimean 00R were estab!ished durin$ first sta$es of the Russian Ci&i! 2ar , but the' were fo!!owed b' 2hite Russian -)enera! Command of the +rmed orces of 0outh Russia , !ater 0outh Russian )o&ernment and, fina!!', 0o&iet -Crimean +00R incorporations of Crimea into their own states. +fter the 0econd 2or!d 2ar and the subse4uent deportation of a!! of the indi$enous Crimean Tatars , the Crimean +00R was stripped of its autonom' in 1"56 and was down$raded to the status of an ob!ast. In 1"#5, the Crimean b!ast was transferred from the Russian 00R to the (rainian 00R b' decree of the residium of the 0upreme
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
0o&iet of the 0o&iet nion. owe&er, it was unc!ear whether the transfer affected the peninsu!a/s !ar$est cit' of 0e&astopo!, which en9o'ed a specia! status in the postwar 0o&iet nion, and in 1""3, the 0upreme 0o&iet of Russia c!aimed 0e&astopo! was part of Russia, resu!tin$ in a territoria! dispute with (raine. In 1"8", under perestroi(a, the 0upreme 0o&iet dec!ared the deportation of the Crimean Tatars under 0ta!in had been i!!e$a!, and the most!' :us!im ethnic $roup was a!!owed to return to Crimea. In 1""*, the Crimean b!ast 0o&iet proposed the restoration of the Crimean +00R.;58< The ob!ast conducted a referendumin 1""1, which as(ed whether Crimea shou!d be e!e&ated into a si$nator' of the %ew nion Treat' -that is, became a union repub!ic on its own. =' that time, thou$h, the disso!ution of the 0o&iet nion was we!! underwa'. The Crimean +00R was restored for !ess than a 'ear as part of 0o&iet (raine before (rainian independence. %ew!' independent (raine maintained Crimea/s autonomous status, whi!e the 0upreme Counci! of Crimea affirmed the peninsu!a/s >state so&erei$nt'>. n ?1 :a' 1""?, the 0upreme 0o&iet of Russia adopted a reso!ution, which dec!ared Crimea/s 1"#5 transfer in&a!id and ca!!ed for tri!atera! ne$otiations on the peninsu!a/s status. Confrontation between the president and par!iament of Russia, which !ater erupted into armed conf!ict in :oscow, pre&ented this dec!aration from ha&in$ an' actua! effect in Crimea or (raine. rom 1""? to 1""5, &arious proRussian po!itica! mo&ements attempted to separate Crimea from (raine. The 1""5 re$iona! e!ections represented a hi$h point for proRussian po!itica! factions in Crimea. =ut the e!ections came at a difficu!t time for Crimeans who wanted to re9oin Russia, as the Russian $o&ernment was en$a$ed in a rapprochement with the 2estern wor!d and the (rainian $o&ernment was determined to safe$uard its so&erei$nt'. These factors enab!ed (rainian authorities to abo!ish the Crimean presidenc' and constitution b' 1""#, without an' meanin$fu! interference or protest from (raine/s eastern nei$hbour. +fterwards, proRussian mo&ements !ar$e!' waned, and in 1""8, the separatists !ost the Crimean 0upreme Counci! e!ection. @urin$ the ?***s, as tensions between Russia and se&era! of its nei$hbours rose, the !i(e!ihood of Russian(rainian conf!ict around Crimea increased. + Counci! on orei$n Re!ations report re!eased in ?**" out!ined a scenario under which Russia cou!d inter&ene in Crimea to protect >Russian compatriots>, potentia!!' with the bac(in$ of Crimean Tatars.
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
.uromaidan and t/e U0rainian revolution
The Euromaidan mo&ement be$an in !ate %o&ember ?*13 with protests in Kie& a$ainst proRussian resident Ai(tor Banu(o&'ch, who won e!ection in ?*1* with stron$ support in the +utonomous Repub!ic of Crimea and southern andeastern (raine. The Crimean $o&ernment stron$!' supported Banu(o&'ch and condemned the protests, sa'in$ the' were >threatenin$ po!itica! stabi!it' in the countr'>. The 0upreme Counci! of Crimea supported the $o&ernment/s decision to suspend ne$otiations on the pendin$ (raineE +ssociation +$reement and ur$ed Crimeans to >stren$then friend!' ties with Russian re$ions>. n 5 ebruar' ?*15, the residium of the 0upreme Counci! considered ho!din$ a referendum on the peninsu!a/s status and as(in$ the $o&ernment of Russia to $uarantee the &ote. The 0ecurit' 0er&ice of (raine responded b' openin$ a crimina! case to in&esti$ate the possib!e >sub&ersion> of (raine/s territoria! inte$rit'. The Euromaidan protests reached a fe&er pitch in ebruar' ?*15, and Banu(o&'ch and man' of his ministers f!ed the capita!. +fter opposition factions and defectors from Banu(o&'ch/s art' of Re$ions cobb!ed to$ether a par!iamentar' 4uorum in the Aer(ho&na Rada, the nationa! !e$is!ature &oted on ?? ebruar' to remo&e Ai(tor Banu(o&'ch from his post on the $rounds that he was unab!e to fu!fi!! his duties, a!thou$h the !e$is!ati&e remo&a! !ac(ed the re4uired three 4uarter &ote of sittin$ :s accordin$ to the constitution in effect at the time, which the Rada a!so &oted to nu!!if'. This mo&e was re$arded as a coup d/tat b' man' within (raine and Russia, a!thou$h it was wide!' reco$niDed internationa!!'.
II" Crimean Crisis Begins
The re&o!ution that ousted (rainian president Ai(tor Banu(o&'ch, dri&en b' the Euromaidan mo&ement, spar(ed a po!itica! crisis in Crimea, which initia!!' manifested as demonstrations a$ainst the new interim (rainian $o&ernment, but rapid!' esca!ated due to Russia/s o&ert support for separatist po!itica! factions. Crimean par!iament members ca!!ed for an extraordinar' meetin$ on ?1 ebruar'. Crimean Tatar :e9!is chairman :ustafa @Dhemi!e& said that he suspected that the meetin$ was arran$ed to ca!! for Russian mi!itar' inter&ention in Crimea, statin$ >Tomorrow ma' be a decision that wi!! brin$
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
chaos and disaster to Crimea>. 0e&era! scho!ars pre&ious!' discussed the possibi!it' of Russian mi!itar' inter&ention in Crimea, due to its uni4ue $eopo!itica! nature and demo$raphics. In response to this, the 0ecurit' 0er&ice of (raine -0= said that it wou!d >use se&ere measures to pre&ent an' action ta(en a$ainst diminishin$ the territoria! inte$rit' and so&erei$nt' of (raine>. The part' with the !ar$est number of seats in the Crimean par!iament -8* of 1**, the art' of Re$ions of (rainian president Ai(tor Banu(o&'ch, did not discuss Crimean secession, and were supporti&e of an a$reement between resident Banu(o&'ch and Euromaidan acti&ists to end the unrest that was struc( on the same da' in Kie&. Crimean prime minister +nato!ii :oh'!io& said that his $o&ernment reco$nised the new pro&isiona! $o&ernment in Kie&, and that the Crimean autonomous $o&ernment wou!d carr' out a!! !aws passed b' the (rainian par!iament. In 0imferopo!, a proEuromaidan ra!!' of between #,***1#,*** was he!d in support of the new $o&ernment, and demandin$ the resi$nation of the Crimean par!iamentF attendees wa&ed (rainian, Tatar, and European nion f!a$s. :eanwhi!e in 0e&astopo!, thousands protested a$ainst the new (rainian $o&ernment, &oted to estab!ish a para!!e! administration, and created ci&i! defence s4uads with the support of the Russian %i$ht 2o!&es motorc'c!e c!ub. rotesters wa&ed Russian f!a$s, chanted >utin is our presidentG>, and c!aimed the' wou!d refuse to further pa' taxes to the (rainian state. Russian mi!itar' con&o's were a!so a!!e$ed to be seen in the area. In Kerch, proRussian protesters attempted to remo&e the (rainian f!a$ from atop cit' ha!! and rep!ace it with the f!a$ of Russia. &er ?** attended, wa&in$ Russian, oran$eandb!ac( 0t. )eor$e, and the Russian nit' part' f!a$s. :a'or !eh sadch' attempted to disperse the crowd and po!ice e&entua!!' arri&ed to defend the f!a$. The ma'or said >This is the territor' of (raine, Crimea. ere/s a f!a$ of Crimea>, but was accused of treason and a fi$ht ensued o&er the f!a$po!e. n ?5 ebruar', more ra!!ied outside the 0e&astopo! cit' state administration. roRussian demonstrators accompanied b' neoCossac(s demanded the e!ection of a Russian citiDen as ma'or and hoisted Russian f!a$s around the cit' administrationF the' a!so handed out !eaf!ets to si$n up for a se!fdefence mi!itia, warnin$ that the >=!ue=rown Europ!a$ue is (noc(in$.> n ?# ebruar', se&era! hundred proRussian protesters b!oc(ed the Crimean par!iament demandin$ a referendum on Crimea/s independence. n the same da', 0e&astopo! i!!e$a!!' e!ected +!exei Cha!', a Russian citiDen, as ma'or. nder the !aw of (raine, it was not possib!e for 0e&astopo! to e!ect a ma'or, as the Chairman of the evastopol City tate ;dministration , appointed b' the resident of (raine, functions as its ma'or. + thousand protesters present chanted >+ Russian ma'or for a Russian cit'.> Crowds $athered a$ain outside 0e&astopo!/s cit' ha!! a$ain on Tuesda' as rumours spread that securit' forces cou!d arrest Cha!', but po!ice chief +!exander )oncharo& said that his officers wou!d refuse to carr' out >crimina! orders>
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
issued b' Kie&. Ai(tor %e$ano&, a 0e&astopo!based ad&iser to the Interna! +ffairs :inister, condemned the e&ents in the cit' as a coup. >Cha!' represents the interests of the Krem!in which !i(e!' $a&e its tacit appro&a!,> he said. 0e&astopo! Cit' 0tate +dministration chairman A!adimir Batsuba was booed and hec(!ed on ?3 ebruar', when he to!d a proRussian ra!!' that Crimea was a part of (raine. e resi$ned the next da'. ;8?< In 0imferopo!, the Re$iona! 0tate +dministration bui!din$ was b!oc(aded with hundreds of protesters, inc!udin$ neoCossac(s, demandin$ a referendum of separationF the ra!!' was or$aniDed b' the Crimean 5ront . n ?6 ebruar', thousands c!ashed durin$ opposin$ ra!!ies in imferopo!. %ear the 0upreme Counci! of Crimea bui!din$ 5,*** and #,*** Crimean Tatars and supporters of the EuromaidanCrimea mo&ement faced 6**7** supporters of proRussian or$aniDations and the Russian nit' art'. 0upreme Counci! Chairman A!adimir Konstantino& said that the Crimean par!iament wou!d not consider separation from (raine, and that ear!ier reports that par!iament wou!d ho!d a debate on the matter were pro&ocations. Tatars created se!fdefense $roups, encoura$ed co!!aboration with Russians, (rainians, and peop!e of other nationa!ities, and ca!!ed for the protection of churches, mos4ues, s'na$o$ues, and other important sites. =' ni$htfa!! the Crimean Tatars had !eftF se&era! hundred Russian nit' supporters ra!!ied on. The new (rainian $o&ernment/s actin$ Interna! +ffairs :inister +rsen +&a(o& tas(ed Crimean !aw enforcement a$encies not to pro&o(e conf!icts and to do whate&er necessar' to pre&ent c!ashes with proRussian forcesF and he added >I thin(, that wa' throu$h a dia!o$ue we sha!! achie&e much more than with standoffs>. %ew 0ecurit' 0er&ice of (raine -0= chief Aa!ent'n %a!'&aichen(o re4uested that the nited %ations pro&ide aroundthec!oc( monitorin$ of the securit' situation in Crimea.;"*< Russian troops too( contro! of the main route to 0e&astopo! on orders from Russian president A!adimir utin. + mi!itar' chec(point, with a Russian f!a$ and Russian mi!itar' &ehic!es, was set up on the main hi$hwa' between the cit' and 0imferopo!. n ?7 ebruar', unidentified troops wide!' suspected of bein$ Russian specia! forces seiDed the bui!din$ of the 0upreme Counci! of Crimea -the re$iona! par!iament and the bui!din$ of the Counci! of :inisters in 0imferopo!. Russian f!a$s were raised o&er these bui!din$s, and barricades were erected outside them. 2hi!st the >!itt!e $reen men> were occup'in$ the Crimean par!iament bui!din$, the par!iament he!d an emer$enc' session. It &oted to terminate the Crimean $o&ernment, and rep!ace rime :inister +nato!ii :oh'!io& with 0er$e' +(s'ono&. +(s'ono& be!on$ed to theRussian nit' part', which recei&ed 5H of the &ote in the !ast e!ection. +ccordin$ to the Constitution of (raine, the rime :inister of Crimea is appointed b' the 0upreme Counci! of Crimea in consu!tation with the resident of (raine. =oth +(s'ono& and spea(er A!adimir Konstantino& stated that the' &iewed Ai(tor Banu(o&'ch as the de "ure
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
president of (raine, throu$h whom the' were ab!e to as( Russia for assistance. The par!iament a!so &oted to ho!d a referendum on $reater autonom' on ?# :a'. The troops had cut a!! of the bui!din$/s communications, and too( :s/ phones as the' entered. %o independent 9ourna!ists were a!!owed inside the bui!din$ whi!e the &otes were ta(in$ p!ace. 0ome :s c!aimed the' were bein$ threatened and that &otes were cast for them and other :s, e&en thou$h the' were not in the chamber. Interfax(raine reported >it is impossib!e to find out whether a!! the 65 members of the 1**member !e$is!ature who were re$istered as present at when the two decisions were &oted on or whether someone e!se used the p!astic &otin$ cards of some of them> because due to the armed occupation of par!iament it was unc!ear how man' :s were present. The head of par!iament/s information and ana!'sis department, !ha 0u!ni(o&a, had phoned from inside the par!iamentar' bui!din$ to 9ourna!ists and had to!d them 61 of the re$istered 65 deputies had &oted for the referendum reso!ution and ## for the reso!ution to dismiss the $o&ernment.;1*?< @onets( eop!e/s Repub!ic separatist I$or )ir(in said in anuar' ?*1# that Crimean members of par!iament were he!d at $unpoint, and were forced to support the annexation. These actions were immediate!' dec!ared i!!e$a! b' the (rainian interim $o&ernment. n the same da', more troops in unmar(ed uniforms, assisted this time b' Crimean riot po!ice (nown as erkut , estab!ished securit' chec(points on the Isthmus of ere(op and the Chonhar eninsu!a, which separate Crimea from the (rainian main!and. 2ithin hours, (raine had effecti&e!' been cut off from Crimea. n 1 :arch ?*15, +(s'ono& dec!ared Crimea/s new de facto authorities wou!d exercise contro! of a!! (rainian mi!itar' insta!!ations on the peninsu!a. e a!so as(ed Russian resident A!adimir utin, who had been Banu(o&'ch/s primar' internationa! bac(er and $uarantor, for >assistance in ensurin$ peace and pub!ic order> in Crimea. utin prompt!' recei&ed authorisation from the ederation Counci! of Russia for a Russian mi!itar' inter&ention in (raine >unti! norma!iDation of a sociopo!itica! en&ironment in the countr'>. utin/s swift manoeu&re prompted protests of inte!!i$entsia and demonstrations in :oscow a$ainst a Russian mi!itar' campai$n in Crimea. =' ? :arch, Russian troops mo&in$ from the countr'/s na&a! base in 0e&astopo! and reinforced b' troops, armour, and he!icopters from main!and Russia exercised comp!ete contro! o&er the Crimean eninsu!a. Russian troops operated in Crimea without insi$nia. @espite numerous media reports and statements b' the (rainian and forei$n $o&ernments describin$ the unmar(ed troops as Russian so!diers, $o&ernment officia!s concea!ed the identit' of their forces, c!aimin$ the' were !oca! >se!fdefense> units o&er whom the' had no authorit'. +s
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
!ate as 17 +pri!, Russian forei$n minister Ja&ro& c!aimed that there are no spare armed forces in the territor' of Crimea. Russian officia!s e&entua!!' admitted to their troops/ presence. n 17 +pri! ?*15, utin ac(now!ed$ed the Russian mi!itar' bac(ed Crimean separatist mi!itias, statin$ that Russia/s inter&ention was necessar' >to ensure proper conditions for the peop!e of Crimea to be ab!e to free!' express their wi!!>. @efence :inister 0er$er 0ho'$u said the countr'/s mi!itar' actions in Crimea were underta(en b' forces of the =!ac( 0ea !eet and were 9ustified b' >threat to !i&es of Crimeanci&i!ians> and dan$er of >ta(eo&er of Russian mi!itar' infrastructure b' extremists>. (raine comp!ained that b' increasin$ its troop presence in Crimea, Russia &io!ated the a$reement under which it head4uartered its =!ac( 0ea !eet in 0e&astopo! and &io!ated the countr'/s so&erei$nt'. The nited 0tates and nited Kin$dom a!so accused Russia of brea(in$ the terms of the =udapest :emorandum on 0ecurit' +ssurances, b' which Russia, the 0, and the K had reaffirmed their ob!i$ation to refrain from the threat or use of force a$ainst the territoria! inte$rit' or po!itica! independence of (raine. ;1?*< The Russian $o&ernment said the =udapest :emorandum did not app!' due to >comp!icated interna! processes> in Crimea. In :arch ?*1# retired Russian +dmira! I$or Kasatono& stated that accordin$ to his information the Russian troop dep!o'ment in Crimea inc!uded six he!icopter !andin$s and three !andin$s of IJ76 with #** peop!e.
;ftermath
The number of tourists &isitin$ Crimea in the ?*15 season is expected to be !ower than in the pre&ious 'ears due to worries about the po!itica! situation. The Crimean $o&ernment members hope that Russian tourists wi!! f!ow in. The Russian $o&ernment is p!annin$ to promote Crimea as a resort and pro&ide subsidised ho!ida's to the peninsu!a for chi!dren and state wor(ers. The 0ofia news a$enc' %o&inite c!aims that accordin$ to the )erman newspaper 0ie Welt , the annexation of Crimea is economica!!' disad&anta$eous for the Russian ederation. Russia wi!! ha&e to spend bi!!ions of euros a 'ear to pa' sa!aries and pensions. :oreo&er, Russia wi!! ha&e to underta(e cost!' pro9ects to connect Crimea to the Russian water supp!' and power s'stem because Crimea has no !and connection to Russia and at present $ets water, $as and e!ectricit' from main!and (raine. This wi!! re4uire bui!din$ a brid$e and a pipe!ine across the Kerch 0trait. +!so, %o&inite c!aims that a (rainian expert to!d 0ie Welt that Crimea >wi!! not be ab!e to attract tourists>.
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
The first @eput' to :inister of inance of Russian ederation Tat'ana %esteren(o said in her inter&iew to 5or'es Woman that decision to annexe Crimea was made b' Russian resident A!adimir utin exc!usi&e!' without consu!tin$ Russia/s inance :inistr'. The Russian business newspaper Gommersant expresses an opinion that Russia wi!! not ac4uire an'thin$ economica!!' from >accessin$> Crimea, which is not &er' de&e!oped industria!!', ha&in$ 9ust a few bi$ factories, and whose 'ear!' $ross product is on!' 5 bi!!ion. The newspaper a!so sa's that e&er'thin$ from Russia wi!! ha&e to be de!i&ered b' sea, hi$her costs of transportation wi!! resu!t in hi$her prices for e&er'thin$, and to a&oid a dec!ine in !i&in$ standards Russia wi!! ha&e to subsidiDe Crimean peop!e for a few months. In tota!, Kommersant estimates the costs of inte$ratin$ Crimea into Russia in 3* bi!!ion o&er the next decade, i.e. 3 bi!!ion per 'ear. n the other hand western oi! experts estimate that Russia/s seiDin$ of Crimea, and the associated contro! of an area of =!ac( 0ea more than three times its !and area $i&es it access to oi! and $as reser&es potentia!!' worth tri!!ions of do!!ars. It a!so depri&es (raine of its chances of ener$' independence. :ost immediate!' howe&er, ana!'sts sa', :oscow/s ac4uisition ma' a!ter the route a!on$ which the 0outh 0tream pipe!ine wou!d be bui!t, sa&in$ Russia mone', time and en$ineerin$ cha!!en$es. It wou!d a!so a!!ow Russia to a&oid bui!din$ in Tur(ish territoria! waters, which was necessar' in the ori$ina! route to a&oid (rainian territor'. ;?*?<;?*3< RussianLChechen businessman Rus!an =aisaro& announced he is read' to in&est 1? bi!!ion rub!es into the construction of a modern sea resort in Crimea, which is expected to create about 1,3** 9obs. RamDan Kad'ro&, the ead of Chechn'a, said that other Chechen businessmen are p!annin$ to in&est into Crimea as we!!. The Russian edera! 0er&ice for Communications -Ros(omnadDor warned about a transition period as Russian operators ha&e to chan$e the numberin$ capacit' and subscribers. Countr' code wi!! be rep!aced from the (rainian M38* to Russian M7. Codes in Crimea start with 6#, but in the area of >7> the 6 is $i&en to KaDa(hstan which shares former 0o&iet nion M7 with Russia, so cit' codes ha&e to chan$e. The re$u!ator assi$ned 86" dia!!in$ code to 0e&astopo! and the rest of the peninsu!a recei&ed a 36# code.;?*#< +t the time of the unification with Russia, te!ephone operators and Internet ser&ice pro&iders in Crimea and 0e&astopo! are connected to the outside wor!d throu$h the territor' of (raine. ;?*6< :inister of Communications of Russia, %i(o!ai %i(iforo& announced on his Twitter account that posta! codes in Crimea wi!! now ha&e sixfi$uresN to the existin$ fi&edi$it number the number two wi!! be added at the
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
be$innin$. or examp!e, the 0imferopo! posta! code "#*** wi!! become ?"#***. Re$ardin$ Crimea/s borders, the head of Russian edera! +$enc' for the @e&e!opment of the 0tate =order aci!ities -Ros$ranitsa Konstantin =us'$in, who was spea(in$ at a meetin$ !ed b' Russian @eput' rime :inister @mitr' Ro$oDin in0imferopo!, the capita! of Crimea said the Russian state border in the north of Crimea which, accordin$ to his c!aims, now forms part of the Russian(rainian border , wi!! be fu!!' e4uipped with necessar' faci!ities. In the area that now forms the border between Crimea and (raine minin$ the sa!t !a(e in!ets from the sea that constitute the natura! borders, and in the spit of !and !eft o&er stretches of no man/s!and with wire on either side was created. n ear!' une that 'ear rime :inister @mitr' :ed&ede& si$ned a )o&ernment reso!ution O"61 dated # une ?*15 estab!ishin$ air, sea, road and rai!wa' chec(points. The adopted decisions create a !e$a! basis for the functionin$ of a chec(point s'stem at the Russian state border in the Repub!ic of Crimea and 0e&astopo!. In the 'ear fo!!owin$ the annexation, armed men seiDed &arious Crimean businesses, inc!udin$ ban(s, hote!s, ship'ards, farms, $as stations, a ba(er', a dair', and Ba!ta i!m 0tudio. !uman rig/ts situation
n " :a' ?*15 the new >antiextremist> amendment to the Crimina! Code of Russia, passed in @ecember ?*13, came into force. +rtic!e ?8*.1 desi$nated incitement of &io!ation of territoria! inte$rit' of the Russian ederation -inc!. ca!!s for secession of Crimea from Russia as a crimina! offence in Russia, punishab!e b' a fine of 3** thousand roub!es or imprisonment up to 3 'ears. If such statements are made in pub!ic media or the internet, the punishment cou!d be ob!i$ator' wor(s up to 58* hours or imprisonment up to fi&e 'ears. o!!owin$ the annexation of Crimea, accordin$ to report re!eased on the Russian $o&ernment run resident of Russia/s Counci! on Ci&i! 0ociet' and uman Ri$hts website, Tatars who were opposed to Russian ru!e ha&e been persecuted, Russian !aw restrictin$ freedom of speech has been imposed, and the new proRussian authorities >!i4uidated> the Kie& atriarchate rthodox church on the peninsu!a. +fter the annexation, on 16 :a' the new Russian authorities of Crimea issued a ban on the annua! commemorations of the anni&ersar' of the @eportation of the Crimean Tatars b' 0ta!in in 1"55, citin$ >possibi!it' Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
of pro&ocation b' extremists> as a reason. re&ious!', when Crimea was contro!!ed b' (raine, these commemorations had ta(en p!ace e&er' 'ear. The proRussian Crimean authorities a!so banned :ustafa emi!e&, a human ri$hts acti&ist, 0o&iet dissent, member of the (rainian par!iament, and former Chairman of the :e9!is of the Crimean Tatars from enterin$ Crimea. ;?18< +dditiona!!', :e9!is reported, that officers of Russia/s edera! 0ecurit' 0er&ice -0= raided Tatar homes in the same wee(, on the pretense of >suspicion of terrorist acti&it'>. The Tatar communit' e&entua!!' did ho!d commemorati&e ra!!ies in defiance of the ban. In response Russian authorities f!ew he!icopters o&er the ra!!ies in an attempt to disrupt them. Crimean public opinion
+ 9oint sur&e' b' +merican $o&ernment a$enc' =roadcastin$ =oard of )o&ernors and po!!in$ firm )a!!up was ta(en durin$ +pri! ?*15. It po!!ed #** residents of Crimea. The sur&e' found that 8?.8H of those po!!ed be!ie&ed that the resu!ts of the Crimean status referendum ref!ected the &iews of most Crimeans, whereas 6.7H said that it did not. 73."H of those po!!ed said that the' thou$ht that the annexation wou!d ha&e a positi&e impact on their !i&es, whereas #.#H said that it wou!d not. 13.6H said that the' did not (now. + comprehensi&e po!! re!eased on 8 :a' ?*15 b' the ew Research Centre sur&e'ed Crimean opinions on the annexation. @espite internationa! criticism of 16 :arch referendum on Crimean status, "1H of those Crimeans po!!ed thou$ht that the &ote was free and fair, and 88H said that the (rainian $o&ernment shou!d reco$niDe the resu!ts. U0ranian Response
Immediate!' after the treat' of accession was si$ned in :arch, the (rainian :inistr' of orei$n +ffairs summoned the ro&isiona! rincipa! of Russia in (raine to present note ver'ale of protest a$ainst Russia/s reco$nition of the Repub!ic of Crimea and its subse4uent annexation. Two da's !ater, the Aer(ho&na Rada condemned the treat' and ca!!ed Russia/s actions >a $ross &io!ation of internationa! !aw>. The Rada ca!!ed on the internationa! communit' to a&oid reco$nition of the >soca!!ed Repub!ic of Crimea> or the annexation of Crimea and 0e&astopo! b' Russia as new federa! sub9ects. n 1# +pri! ?*15, the Aer(ho&na Rada dec!ared the +utonomous Repub!ic of Crimea and 0e&astopo! to be under >pro&isiona! occupation> b' the Russian mi!itar' and imposed tra&e! restrictions on (rainians &isitin$ Crimea. The territories were a!so deemed >ina!ienab!e parts of (raine> Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
sub9ect to (rainian !aw. +mon$ other thin$s, the specia! !aw appro&ed b' the Rada restricted forei$n citiDens/ mo&ements to and from the Crimean eninsu!a and forbade certain t'pes of entrepreneurship. The !aw a!so forbade acti&it' of $o&ernment bodies formed in &io!ation of (rainian !aw and desi$nated their acts as nu!! and &oid. The &otin$ ri$hts of Crimea in nationa! (rainian e!ections were a!so suspended. The !aw had !itt!e to no actua! effect in Crimea itse!f due to the mutua! nonreco$nition between Kie& and 0imferopo!. (rainian authorities $reat!' reduced the &o!ume of water f!owin$ into Crimea &ia the %orth Crimean Cana!, threatenin$ the &iabi!it' of the peninsu!a/s a$ricu!tura! crops, which are hea&i!' dependent on irri$ation. The (rainian %ationa! Counci! for TA and Radio =roadcastin$ instructed a!! cab!e operators on :arch 11 to stop transmittin$ a number of Russian channe!s, inc!udin$ the internationa! &ersions of the main statecontro!!ed stationsRossi'a1, Channe! ne and %TA, as we!! as news channe! Rossi'a ?5. In :arch ?*15, acti&ists be$an or$aniDin$ f!ash mobs in supermar(ets to ur$e customers not to bu' Russian $oods and to bo'cott Russian $as stations, ban(s, and concerts. In +pri! ?*15, some cinemas in Kie&, J&i&, and dessa be$an shunnin$ Russian fi!ms. In @ecember ?*15, (raine ha!ted a!! train and bus ser&ices to Crimea. Russian Response
In a po!! pub!ished on ?5 ebruar' b' the stateowned Russian ub!ic pinion Research Center , on!' 1#H of those Russians po!!ed said /'es/ to the 4uestionN >0hou!d Russia react to the o&erthrow of the !e$a!!' e!ected authorities in (raineP>. The 0tate @uma Committee on Commonwea!th of Independent 0tates +ffairs, headed b' Jeonid 0!uts(', &isited 0imferopo! on ?# ebruar' ?*15 and saidN >If the par!iament of the Crimean autonom' or its residents express the wish to 9oin the Russian ederation, Russia wi!! be prepared to consider this sort of app!ication. 2e wi!! be examinin$ the situation and doin$ so fast.> The' a!so stated that in the e&ent of a referendum for Crimea re$ion 9oinin$ Russian ederation the' wou!d consider its resu!ts >&er' fast>. Jater 0!uts(' announced that he was misunderstood b' Crimean press and no decision re$ardin$ simp!if'in$ the process of ac4uirin$ Russian citiDenship for peop!e in Crimea has been made 'et. +nd added that if Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
>fe!!ow Russian citiDens are in 9eopard' 'ou understand that we do not sta' awa'>. n ?# ebruar', in a meetin$ with Crimean po!iticians he stated that Ai(tor Banu(o&'ch was sti!! the !e$itimate president of (raine. That same da' in the Russian @uma, the' announced the' were determinin$ measures so that Russians in (raine who >did not want to brea( from the Russian 2or!d> cou!d ac4uire Russian citiDenship. n ?6 ebruar', Russian resident A!adimir utin ordered the Russian +rmed orces to be >put on a!ert in the 2estern :i!itar' @istrict as we!! as units stationed with the ?nd +rm' Centra! :i!itar' @istrict Command in&o!&ed in aerospace defence, airborne troops and !on$ ran$e mi!itar' transport.> @espite media specu!ation it was for in reaction to the e&ents in (raine Russian @efence :inister 0er$ei 0hoi$u said it was in separate consideration from the unrest in (raine. n ?7 ebruar' ?*15, the Russian $o&ernment dismissed accusations about &io!ation b' the Russian side of the basic a$reements in re$ards of the =!ac( 0ea !eetN >+!! mo&ements of armored &ehic!es are underta(en in fu!! comp!iance with the basic a$reements and did not re4uire an' appro&a!s>. n ?7 ebruar', the Russian $o&ernin$ a$encies presented the new !aw pro9ect on $rantin$ citiDenship. The Russian :inistr' of orei$n +ffairs ca!!ed on the 2est and particu!ar!' %+T to >abandon the pro&ocati&e statements and respect the neutra! status of (raine>. In its statement the ministr' c!aims that a$reement on sett!ement of the crisis which was si$ned on ?1 ebruar' and was witnessed b' forei$n ministries from )erman', o!and and rance has to this date, not been imp!emented -A!adimir Ju(in from Russia had not si$ned it. n ?8 ebruar', accordin$ to IT+RT+00, the Russian :inistr' of Transport discontinued its further ta!(s with (raine in re$ards to the Kerch 0trait =rid$e pro9ect. owe&er, on 3 :arch @mitr' :ed&ede&, the rime :inister of Russia, si$ned a decree creatin$ a subsidiar' of Russian i$hwa's -+&todor to bui!d a brid$e at an unspecified !ocation a!on$ the Kerch strait. n Russian socia! networ(s there is a mo&ement to $ather &o!unteers who ser&ed in the Russian arm' to $o to (raine. n ?8 ebruar' resident utin stated it was of >extreme importance of not a!!owin$ a further esca!ation of &io!ence and the necessit' of a rapid norma!isation of the situation in (raine> in te!ephone ca!!s with (e' E
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
!eaders.;?#1< +!read' on 1" ebruar' the Russian :inistr' of orei$n +ffairs referred to the Euromaidan re&o!ution as the > =rown re&o!ution>. The ederation Counci! appro&ed that Russia ma' introduce a !imited contin$ent of Russian troops in Crimea for the securit' of the =!ac( 0ea !eet and the Russians. In :oscow, on ? :arch, an estimated ?7,*** ra!!ied in support of the Russian $o&ernment/s decision to inter&ene in (raine. The ra!!ies recei&ed considerab!e attention on Russian state TA and were officia!!' sanctioned b' the $o&ernment. :eanwhi!e, on 1 :arch, fi&e peop!e who were pic(etin$ next to the ederation Counci! bui!din$ a$ainst the in&asion of (raine were arrested. ;?#6< The next da' about ?** peop!e protested at the bui!din$ of the Russian :inistr' of @efence in :oscow a$ainst Russian mi!itar' in&o!&ement. +bout #** peop!e a!so $athered to protest on the :aneDhna'a 04uare in :oscow and the same number of peop!e on the 0aint Isaac/s 04uare in 0aint etersbur$. n ? :arch, about e!e&en protesters demonstrated in Be(aterinbur$ a$ainst Russian in&o!&ement, with some wrapped in the (rainian f!a$. rotests were a!so he!d in Che!'abins( on the same da'. The opposition to the mi!itar' inter&ention was a!so expressed b' roc( musician +ndre' :a(are&ich, who wrote in particu!arN >Bou want war with (raineP It wi!! not be the wa' it was with +b(haDiaN the fo!(s on the :aidan ha&e been hardened and (now what the' are fi$htin$ for for their countr', their independence. 2e ha&e to !i&e with them. 0ti!! nei$hbor!'. +nd preferab!' in friendship. =ut it/s up to them how the' want to !i&e>. The rofessor of the @epartment of hi!osoph' at the :oscow 0tate Institute of Internationa! Re!ations+ndre' Qubo& was fired for his artic!e in ?edomosti , criticisin$ Russian mi!itar' inter&ention. n ? :arch, one :oscow resident protested a$ainst Russian inter&ention b' ho!din$ >0top the war> banner, but he was immediate!' harassed b' passersb' and when the po!ice was arrestin$ him, a woman offered them fabricatin$ a serious char$e -beatin$ up a chi!d a$ainst himF howe&er, the proposa! was re9ected b' the po!ice. +ndrei Qubo&, a professor at the :oscow 0tate Institute of Internationa! Re!ations, who compared Russian actions in Crimea to the +nsch!uss of +ustria, was threatened. +(exander Chu'e&, the !eader of the proKrem!in 0pra&ed!i&a'a Rossi'a part', a!so ob9ected to Russian inter&ention in (raine. =oris +(unin, popu!ar Russian writer, predicted that Russia/s mo&es wou!d !ead to po!itica! and economic iso!ation.
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
resident utin/s appro&a! ratin$ amon$ the Russian pub!ic has increased b' near!' 1*H since the crisis be$an, up to 71.6H, the hi$hest in three 'ears, accordin$ to a po!! conducted b' the +!!Russian Center for ub!ic pinion Research, re!eased on 1" :arch. +dditiona!!', the same po!! showed that more than "*H of Russians supported unification with the Crimean Repub!ic. n 5 :arch, at press conference in %o&o$ar'o&o resident utin expressed his &iew on the situation that if a re&o!ution too( p!ace in (raine, it is a new countr' with which Russia did not conc!ude an' treaties. e brou$ht up an ana!o$' with e&ents of 1"17 in Russia, when as a resu!t of the re&o!ution the Russian Empire fe!! apart and a new state was created. owe&er, he stated (raine wou!d sti!! ha&e to honour its debts. Russian po!iticians ha&e specu!ated that there are a!read' 153,*** (rainian refu$ees in Russia. The (rainian :inistr' of orei$n +ffairs refuted those c!aims of refu$ees increase in Russia. +t a briefin$ on 5 :arch ?*15, the director of department of information po!ic' of the :inistr' of orei$n +ffairs of (raine Be&hen erebi'nisc!aimed that Russia was misinformin$ its own citiDens as we!! as the entire internationa! communit' to 9ustif' its own actions in the Crimea. n # :arch, an anchor of the Russianowned internationa! news channe!RT +merica, +bb' :artin, in an inter&iew with iers :or$an, said she >did not a$ree> with how her emp!o'er RT was co&erin$ the (rainian crisis, but c!aims RT sti!! supports her despite her differences of opinion. +!so on # :arch ?*15, another RT +merica anchor, JiD 2ah!, of the networ(/s 2ashin$ton, @C bureau, resi$ned on air, exp!ainin$ that she cou!d not be >part of a networ( that whitewashes the actions of utin> and citin$ her un$arian ancestr' and the memor' of the 0o&iet repression of the un$arian prisin$ as a factor in her decision. In ear!' :arch, I$or +ndre'e&, a 7#'earo!d sur&i&or of the 0ie$e of Jenin$rad, attended an antiwar ra!!' a$ainst the Russian inter&ention in Crimea and was ho!din$ a si$n that read >eace to the 2or!d>. The riot po!ice arrested him and a !oca! pro$o&ernment !aw'er then accused him of bein$ a supporter of >fascism>. The retiree, who !i&ed on a 6,#**rub!e month!' pension, was fined 1*,*** rub!es. rominent dissident :i(hai! Khodor(o&s(' said that Crimea shou!d sta' within (raine with broader autonom'.
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
Tatarstan, a repub!ic within Russia popu!ated b' Ao!$a Tatars, has sou$ht to a!!e&iate concerns about treatment of Tatars b' Russia, as Tatarstan is a $asrich and economica!!' successfu! repub!ic in Russia. n # :arch, resident of Tatarstan Rustam :inni(hano& si$ned an a$reement on cooperation between Tatarstan and the +(s'ono& $o&ernment in Crimea that imp!ied co!!aboration between ten $o&ernment institutions as we!! as si$nificant financia! aid to Crimea from Tatarstan businesses. n 11 :arch, :inni(hano& was in Crimea on his second &isit and attended as a $uest present in the Crimean par!iament chamber durin$ the &ote on the dec!aration of so&erei$nt' pendin$ the 16 :arch referendum. The Tatarstan/s :ufti Kami! 0ami$u!!in in&ited Crimean Tatars to stud' in madrasas in KaDan and dec!ared support for their >brothers in faith and b!ood>. :ustafa @Dhemi!e&, a former !eader of the Crimean Tatar :a9!is be!ie&es that forces that are suspected to be Russian forces shou!d !ea&e the Crimean peninsu!a, and has as(ed the % 0ecurit' Counci! to send peace(eepers into the re$ion. n 13 :arch, Russian resident A!adimir utin made a comparison between Crimea and Koso&o in a phone ca!! with 0 resident =arac( bama. n 1# :arch, thousands of protesters -estimates &ar'in$ from 3,*** b' officia! sources up to #*,*** c!aimed b' opposition in :oscow marched a$ainst Russian in&o!&ement in (raine, man' wa&in$ (rainian f!a$s. +t the same time a pro $o&ernment -and proreferendum ra!!', occurred across the street, counted thousands as we!! -officia!s c!aimin$ ?7,*** with opposition c!aimin$ about 1*,***. In ebruar' ?*1#, the !eadin$ independent Russian newspaper $ovaya =a%eta reported that it obtained documents, a!!e$ed!' written b' o!i$arch Konstantin :a!ofa'e& and others, which pro&ided the Russian $o&ernment with a strate$' in the e&ent of Ai(tor Banu(o&'ch/s remo&a! from power and the brea(up of (raine, which were considered !i(e!'. The documents out!ine p!ans for annexation of Crimea and the eastern portions of the countr', c!ose!' describin$ the e&ents that actua!!' fo!!owed after Banu(o&'ch/s fa!!. The documents a!so describe p!ans for a pub!ic re!ations campai$n which wou!d see( to 9ustif' Russian actions.
Internationa! Response There has been a ran$e of internationa! reactions to the annexation. + .%. )enera! +ssemb!' passed a nonbindin$ reso!ution 1** in fa&our, 11 a$ainst and #8 abstentions in the 1"3nation assemb!' that dec!ared in&a!id Crimea/s :oscowbac(ed referendum. In a mo&e supported b' the Jithuanian resident, the nited 0tates $o&ernment imposed sanctions Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
a$ainst persons the' deem to ha&e &io!ated or assisted in the &io!ation of (raine/s so&erei$nt'. The European nion suspended ta!(s with Russia on economic and &isare!ated mattersF and is considerin$ more strin$ent sanctions a$ainst Russia in the near future, inc!udin$ asset freeDes. 2hi!e apan announced sanctions which inc!ude suspension of ta!(s re!atin$ to mi!itar', space, in&estment, and &isa re4uirements. The E Commission decided on 11 :arch to enter into a fu!! freetrade a$reement with (raine this 'ear. n 1? :arch, the European ar!iament re9ected the upcomin$ referendum on independence in Crimea, which the' saw as manipu!ated and contrar' to internationa! and (rainian !aw. The )7 b!oc of de&e!oped nations -the )8 minus Russia made a 9oint statement condemnin$ Russia and announced that the' wi!! suspend preparations for the upcomin$ )8 summit in 0ochi in une. %+T condemned Russia/s mi!itar' esca!ation in Crimea and stated that it was breach of internationa! !aw whi!e the Counci! of Europe expressed its fu!! support for the territoria! inte$rit' and nationa! unit' of (raine. TheAise$rd )roup has issued a 9oint statement ur$in$ Russia to respe ct (raine/s territoria! inte$rit' and for (raine to ta(e into account its minorit' $roups to not further brea( fra$i!e re!ations. It has ur$ed for Russia to respect (rainian and internationa! !aw and in !ine with the pro&isions of the 1""5 =udapest :emorandum. China said >2e respect the independence, so&erei$nt' and territoria! inte$rit' of (raine>. + spo(esman restated China/s be!ief of non interference in the interna! affairs of other nations and ur$ed dia!o$ue. %ationa! 0ecurit' +d&isor 0hi&shan(ar :enon of India stated that Russia has !e$itimate interests in Crimea and ca!!ed for >sustained dip!omatic efforts> and >constructi&e dia!o$ue> to reso!&e the crisis. owe&er, the %ationa! 0ecurit' +d&isor is not a part of the Cabinet of India and, as such, :enon/s statement was not an officia! statement issued b' the $o&ernment of India. owe&er, India subse4uent!' made it c!ear that it wi!! not support an' >uni!atera! measures> a$ainst Russian $o&ernment. >India has ne&er supported uni!atera! sanctions a$ainst an' countr'. Therefore, we wi!! a!so not support an' uni!atera! measures b' a countr' or a $roup of countries a$ainst Russia.> =oth 0'ria and AeneDue!a open!' support Russian mi!itar' action. 0'rian resident =ashar a! +ssad said that he supports utin/s efforts to >restore securit' and stabi!it' in the friend!' countr' of (raine>, whi!e AeneDue!an resident %ico!as :aduro condemned (raine/s >u!tranationa!ist> coup. 0ri Jan(a described Banu(o&'ch/s remo&a! as unconstitutiona! and considered Russia/s concerns in Crimea as 9ustified. o!ish rime :inister @ona!d Tus( ca!!ed for chan$e in E ener$' po!ic' as )erman'/s dependence on Russian $as poses ris(s for Europe.
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
n 13 :arch, )erman Chance!!or +n$e!a :er(e! warned :oscow it ris(s massi&e dama$e to Russia, economica!!' and po!itica!!', if it refuses to chan$e course on (raine, thou$h c!ose economic !in(s between )erman' and Russia si$nificant!' reduce the scope for =er!in to sanction the Eurasian $iant. +fter Russia mo&ed to forma!!' incorporate Crimea, some worried whether it ma' not do the same in other re$ions. 0 deput' nationa! securit' ad&isor Ton' =!in(en said that the Russian troops massed on the eastern (rainian border ma' be preparin$ to enter the countr'/s eastern re$ions. Russian officia!s stated that Russian troops wou!d not enter other areas. 0 +ir orce )en. hi!ip :. =reed!o&e, %+T/s supreme a!!ied commander in Europe, warned that the same troops were in a position to ta(e o&er the separatist Russianspea(in$ :o!do&an pro&ince of Transnistria. n " +pri!, the ar!iamentar' +ssemb!' of the Counci! of Europe depri&ed Russia of &otin$ ri$hts. n 15 +u$ust, whi!e &isitin$ Crimea, A!adimir utin ru!ed out pushin$ be'ond Crimea. e undertoo( to do e&er'thin$ he cou!d to end the conf!ict in (raine, sa'in$ Russia needed to bui!d ca!m!' and with di$nit', not b' confrontation and war which iso!ated it from the rest of the wor!d. U1 Resolution
n 1# :arch ?*15 a 0sponsored reso!ution was put forward to &ote in the % 0ecurit' Counci! to reaffirm counci!/s commitment to (raine/s >so&erei$nt', independence, unit' and territoria! inte$rit'.> + tota! of 13 counci! members &oted in fa&our of the reso!ution, China abstained, whi!e Russia &etoed the .%. reso!ution dec!arin$ Crimean referendum, ?*15, on the future of Crimean eninsu!a, as i!!e$a!. 2eneral &ssembly resolution
n ?7 :arch ?*15, The % )enera! +ssemb!' appro&ed a reso!ution describin$ the referendum !eadin$ to annexation of Crimea b' Russia as i!!e$a!. The draft reso!ution, which was tit!ed /Territoria! inte$rit' of (raine/ was cosponsored b' Canada, Costa Rica, )erman', Jithuania, o!and, (raine and the 0. It affirmed counci!/s commitment to the >so&erei$nt', po!itica! independence, unit' and territoria! inte$rit' of (raine within its internationa!!' reco$niDed borders.> The reso!ution tried to underscore that the 16 :arch referendum he!d in Crimea and the cit' of 0e&astopo! has no &a!idit' and cannot form the basis for an' a!teration of the status of the +utonomous Repub!ic of Crimea or of the cit' of 0e&astopo!. The reso!ution $ot 1** &otes in its fa&our, whi!e 11 nations &oted a$ainst and Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
#8 countries abstained from the &ote. The reso!ution was nonbindin$ and the &ote was !ar$e!' s'mbo!ic. Recognition
The &ast ma9orit' of the internationa! communit' has not reco$niDed the Repub!ic of Crimea and 0e&astopo! as part of Russia. :ost nations !ocated in %orth +merica, Centra! +merica, Europe, ceania, +frica, as we!! as nonformer0o&ietnion +sia ha&e open!' re9ected the referendum and the accession, and instead consider Crimea and 0e&astopo! to be administrati&e di&isions of (raine. The remainder ha&e !ar$e!' remained neutra!. The &ote on nited %ations )enera! +ssemb!' Reso!ution 68L?6? -supportin$ the position that Crimea and 0e&astopo! remain part of (raine was 1** to 11 in fa&our, with #8 states abstainin$ and a further ?5 of the 1"3 member states not &otin$ throu$h bein$ absent when the &ote too( p!ace. The 1** states &otin$ in fa&our represented about 35H of the wor!d/s popu!ation, the 11 a$ainst represented about 5.#H, the #8 abstentions represented about #8H, and the ?5 absents represented about 3.#H. 0e&era! members of the nited %ations ha&e made statements about their reco$nition of the Repub!ic of Crimea and 0e&astopo! as federa! sub9ects of RussiaN •
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+f$hanistan Cuba
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%icara$ua
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%orth Korea
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Russia
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0'ria
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AeneDue!a
The position of =e!arus is &a$ueN it inc!udes statements made b' +!exander Ju(ashen(o that >(raine shou!d remain an inte$ra!, indi&isib!e, nona!i$ned state> and >+s for Crimea, I do not !i(e it when the inte$rit' and independence of a countr' are bro(en>, on the one hand, and >Toda' Crimea is part of the Russian ederation. %o matter whether 'ou reco$niDe it or not, the fact remains.> and >2hether Crimea wi!! be reco$niDed as a re$ion of the Russian ederation de9ure does not rea!!' matter>, on the other hand.
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
Three non% member states reco$nised the resu!ts of the referendumN +b(haDia, 0outh ssetia, and %a$ornoKaraba(h. + fourth, Transnistria, sent a re4uest on 18 :arch ?*15 to 9oin the Russian ederation fo!!owin$ the Crimean examp!e and in comp!iance with the +dmission Jaw pro&isions. n 16 +pri! ?*15 Transnistria ur$ed Russia and the nited %ations to reco$niDe its independence. utin is aware of Transnistria/s reco$nition re4uest, accordin$ to @mitr' es(o&.
(raine has been seen as a part of the sphere of the pri&i!e$ed interest b' Russia. In re$ard to (raine, :oscow pursues a moderniDed &ersion of =reDhne& @octrine on S!imited so&erei$nt', that dicates that the so&erei$nt' of (raine can not be !ar$er that of the 2arsaw act prior to the demise of the 0o&iet share of inf!uence.
+fter the co!!apse of the 0o&iet union both nations retained &er' c!ose ties, howe&er conf!ict be$an a!most immediate!'. There were se&era! stic(in$ points, most important!' (raineUs si$nificant nuc!ear arsena!, which (raines in the =udapest :emorandum on 0ecurit' +ssurances a$reed to abandon on the $round that Russia -and other si$natories wou!d issue an insurance a$ainst threats or use of force a$ainst the territoria! inte$rit' or po!itica! independence of (raine. This wou!d pro&e worth!ess in ?*15, a second point was the di&ision of the b!ac( sea !eet, (raine a$reed to !ease the 0e&astoo! port so that the Russian =!ac( sea !eet cou!d continue to occup' it to$ether with (raine. Jater throu$h he 1""*s and ?***s (riane and Russia en$a$ed in se&era! $as disputes, which started as ear!' as 1""3. In ?**1 (raine a!on$ with )ero$ia, +Derbai9an and :o!do&a formed a $roup tit!ed )+: r$aniDation for @emocrac' and Economic @e&e!opment, which b' :oscow was seen as a direct cha!!en$e to the CI0 and the Russian denominated trade $roup estab!ished after the co!!apse of the 0o&iet nion. :oscow was further irritated b' the ran$e Re&o!ution of ?**5 which saw the (ranian popu!ist Ai(tor Bushchen(o insta!!ed as president instead of the proRussian Ai(tor Banu(o&ich. :oreo&er, (raine a!so continued to increase its cooperation with %+T, dep!o'in$ the third !ar$est contin$ent of troops to Ira4 in ?**5, as we!! as dedicatin$ peace to %+T missions such as the I0+ force in +f$hanistan and KR in Koso&o.
III. Perception
:' response to what has been happenin$ in (raine and the reactions of &arious $o&ernments, ma' depend on how we &iew the po!itics of the re$ion and the mora! c!aims bein$ made. The ru!e of !aw is a!so of direct re!e&ance, as Vwe be!ie&e that preser&in$ !aw and order in toda'Us comp!ex and turbu!ent wor!d is one of the few wa's to (eep internationa! re!ations Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
from s!idin$ into chaos. The !aw is sti!! the !aw, and we must fo!!ow it whether we !i(e it or not.U These words are those of resident utin, written a few months a$o in order to pre&ent the 0, K and other $o&ernments from inter&enin$ in 0'ria. Internationa! !aw is crucia! to the situation in the (raine. It is of particu!ar re!e&ance to the ri$ht of se!fdetermination of the peop!e of Crimea and whether Russia can !awfu!!' inter&ene on the territor' of (raine. The ri$ht of se!fdetermination, as enshrined in the % Charter and internationa! human ri$hts treaties, enab!es the peop!e to determine for themse!&es their po!itica!, economic, socia! and cu!tura! status. It has been app!ied in recent 'ears in the former Bu$os!a&ia, East Timor and 0outh 0udan. It is certain!' ar$uab!e that the peop!e in the Crimea ha&e a distinct identit' and territor', created o&er centuries and fostered b' decisions of the 00R, Russia and (raine. This inc!udes its status as an autonomous re$ion within the state of (raine and b' specific a$reements about it between Russia and (raine. It is not un!awfu! for it to ha&e a referendum and dec!are itse!f independent -or that it wishes to mer$e with Russia, as this was a!!owed b' the Internationa! Court of ustice in its -poor!' reasoned ad&isor' opinion on the dec!aration of independence b' Koso&o . owe&er, such a dec!aration of independence or mer$in$ is not effecti&e in internationa! !aw b' itse!f. There are two (e' factors that are re!e&antN the actions of the state within whose borders the peop!e !i&eF and the responses of the internationa! communit'. In re!ation to the first factor, if that state is oppressin$ the peop!e, discriminatin$ a$ainst them, &io!atin$ their human ri$hts and not a!!owin$ them free!' to be in&o!&ed in the po!itics and interna! affairs of the state -i.e. to exercise their interna! se!f determination, as was probab!' the situation in Koso&o, then internationa! !aw a!!ows them a ran$e of possib!e actions, inc!udin$ independence and mer$in$ with another state. If the peop!e are ab!e free!' to participate in $o&ernance and are not bein$ oppressed as a $roup, then these actions of secession are not !awfu!. This was made c!ear b' the Canadian 0upreme Court in its ad&isor' opinion in the secession of Wuebec. That CourtVs &iew was c!earN the peop!e of Wuebec were not denied meanin$fu! access to $o&ernment to pursue their po!itica!, economic, cu!tura! and socia! de&e!opment and so the peop!e of Wuebec do not en9o' a ri$ht at internationa! !aw to effect the secession of Wuebec from Canada uni!atera!!'. The' went further to ma(e c!ear that the referendum resu!t b' itse!f wou!d ha&e no !e$a! effect on its own without further ne$otiation with the peop!e of the rest of Canada -this is a!so of re!e&ance to the peop!e of 0cot!and as the' &ote in their referendum. The second factor of the responses of the internationa! communit' can be si$nificant in terms of the reco$nition -or not of the entit' as a state. Indeed, Russia has not reco$niDed Koso&o as a state.
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
The situation in (raine is such that the new $o&ernment is 9ust startin$ to be in a position to $o&ern. It is tr'in$ to restore !aw and order. It has ta(en no ma9or mi!itar' or other oppressi&e actions a$ainst the peop!e of Crimea -or in other areas of (raine. There are at this time no c!ear actions b' it that wou!d be sufficient to 9ustif' under internationa! !aw an' independence or mer$er with another state b' the peop!e of Crimea. Thus there can be no internationa! !e$a! effect of an' independence or mer$er dec!aration that mi$ht arise from a referendum. The ri$ht of se!fdetermination does not of itse!f $i&e rise to a !e$a! ri$ht for a state to inter&ene in the territor' of another state, whether direct!' or throu$h pri&ate actors. 2here a peop!e are bein$ oppressed and force is bein$ used a$ainst them b' their own state, it is, I wou!d ar$ue, possib!e for them to see( and obtain mi!itar' assistance of a defensi&e (ind from another state. This is preferab!' throu$h a reso!ution of the %, as co!!ecti&e action b' a number of states or as part of a se!fdefence a$reement. owe&er, a uni!atera! mi!itar' action where there is no such oppression or force is un!awfu!. This was made c!ear b' an independent factfindin$ commission in their report on internationa! !aw in re!ation to the mi!itar' inter&ention b' Russia in 0outh ssetia and +b(haDia in )eor$ia in ?**8, which the' considered to be $enera!!' contrar' to internationa! !aw. If Russia, and a!! other states, are to comp!' with internationa! !aw then the' must first a!!ow the new (rainian $o&ernment -whether or not the' are seen as the !e$itimate $o&ernment to reso!&e the situation in Crimea and ensure that the peop!e of Crimea are a!!owed interna! se!f determination. n!' if that does not occur then can other possibi!ities, such as secession and mer$in$ with Russia, be possib!e !awfu! responses. In an' e&ent, that decision is one for a!! the peop!e of Crimea, and not 9ust for those who are of Russian nationa!it' or herita$e -or there on!' for mi!itar' purposes, and shou!d not be sub9ect to mi!itar' or other pressure b' an' other state. +fter a!!, if internationa! peace and securit' is to be maintained, it must be accordin$ to internationa! !aw, otherwise we be$in Vs!idin$ into chaosU. The situation in (raine is constant!' e&o!&in$. +nd for a better understandin$ the historica! roots of the conf!ict between Russia and (raine. It be$an when the (rainian $o&ernment decided not to si$n the a$reement with the European nion bac( in the fa!! of ?*13. This was not 9ust a trade a$reement, but a!so a po!itica! a$reement that committed (raine to adhere to certain European &a!ues and princip!es. rom there the crisis mo&ed &er' 4uic(!' to corruption and re$ime chan$e. The demonstrations happened in wa&es, and started primari!' in Kie&. :ost of the protestors were students and 'oun$ peop!e, a!thou$h other re$ions were represented as we!!. Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
or these protestors, it was an opportunit' to fi$ht corruption. The meetin$s in Kie& ha&e continued but no !on$er as demonstrations. eop!e ha&e come out to support the new $o&ernment, but the' a!so want to (eep it in chec(. These acti&ists donUt want to de!e$ate a!! power to the po!iticians, but want their &oices heard in the discussion. :en are &o!unteerin$ to enter mi!itar' se!fdefense units. In the western part of the countr', thin$s ha&e 4uieted down. 2ith the fa!! of resident Banu(o&'ch, the East has become more disoriented, because he was their !eader. There ha&e been a few deaths in the eastern cities durin$ this conf!ict. irst of a!!, I wou!d not o&eremphasiDe the di&ide. There are differences, but an' !ar$e countr' with di&erse re$ions wi!! ha&e differences Xthis is on!' natura!. That said, there are man' re$ions in (raine. 0cho!ars ma' di&ide them different!', and some ma' or$aniDe them into se&en or ei$ht re$ions -or more. Let’s consider three basic regions:
(.
The center, including Kiev . This large s!ath is !hat one thinks of historically as Ukraine. &nfluences include Christianity from the y%antine mpire and the early lavic alpha'et, !hich are reference points for Ukrainian identity.
;round the si8teenth and seventeenth centuries, this area !as most affected 'y the frontier military society called the Cossacks Eeastern lavsF. This area !as 'riefly under the rule of Poland and 6ithuania, and !as gradually taken piecemeal 'y Russia 'y the end of the eighteenth century. ).
The west is a much smaller region . &t shares many religious and linguistic influences !ith the center. et for a long period of time Efrom the thirteenth to mid-eighteenth centuriesF, it !as controlled 'y Poland.
&nstead of frontier-type development, it !as influenced 'y Polish language, culture, and Roman Catholicism. ;fter Poland dissolved it !as taken over 'y the ;ustrian mpire in the nineteenth century, !hich meant one could travel to &taly !ithout crossing any international 'oundaries. This strengthened its connection to urope. /.
The southeast is the third region . ;sian nomads migrated to this teppe, or flat grassland, and the lavs e8panded into this area in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This region has very little in common !ith the West. &n the nineteenth century, industry developed !idely and ur'ani%es the area, attracting Russians.
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
The land1s natural features, plus the history and the economic development, all produce these different layers. When you put all this together, you get a kaleidoscope of e8periences. So w/y did Russia recently anne3 Crimea4
This is a comp!ex topic, and I wi!! tr' to simp!if' without o&ersimp!if'in$. f course there are &ariations in be!iefs, and Russians donUt a!! thin( the same wa'. In $enera!, thou$h, Russian understandin$ is often shaped b' nineteenthcentur' Russian historiansXbefore (raine became a modern nation. These historians created a mode! that has Russian histor' be$innin$ in Kie&. +fter a!!, man' (rainians -except for those in the 2est came under the ru!e of Russia o&er the !ast few centuries. or man' Russians, Kie& is in a forei$n countr'. ItUs a historica! misunderstandin$ to ha&e it be!on$ to (raine. ItUs a biDarre notion that the 1""1 map shows (raine no !on$er in Russia. 0o to man' Russians, annexin$ Crimea is simp!' repairin$ a historica! wron$. ItUs &er' difficu!t for man' Russians to disentan$!e their own histor' from (raineUs and ac(now!ed$e the e4ua!it' and !e$itimac' of the (rainian cu!ture a!on$side their own. :an' (rainians ha&e adopted this Russian menta!it' as their own too. The' want to be urban and sophisticated, !earn Russian, and drop their (rainian accent. There is a who!e spectrum of attitudes, identities, and re!ationships amon$ (rainians. 0ome are fer&ent nationa!ists, and some fee! the' are somehow under the wron$ inf!uences and wou!d !i(e to be Russians themse!&es. +nd of course there is e&er'thin$ in between. +s a!wa's, there is no consensus about what wi!! happen next. The popu!ation in Crimea is mixed, with Tatars -Tur(ic ethnic $roups, (rainians, and Russians a!! !i&in$ to$ether. It is unc!ear how Russia is $oin$ to hand!e Crimea, $i&en the shiftin$ demo$raphics. There is concern that Russia wi!! mo&e into eastern (raine -where there sti!! exist confrontations and pro&ocations, thou$h utin has said he isnUt interested. %o one (nows. The competences en9o'ed b' the +utonomous Repub!ic of Crimea are a!read' considerab!e -artic!e 13# and thereafter of its constitution. +nd no imminent dan$er or spontaneous pub!ic disorder seems to 9ustif' separation from a wea( centra! 0tate that ne&er Soppressed its inhabitants. The European nion and RussiaUs mutua! interests are c!ear to an' obser&er and at this sta$e of $!oba!iDation, the' shou!d be the focus of positi&e, more
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
s'stematic de&e!opment. %o one wants an exacerbation of tension or a test of stren$th. =ut can Europe ne$otiate with a $o&ernment partner that has so serious!' &io!ated the &er' princip!es on which it is founded and which is a!read' direct!' responsib!e for o&er #,#** deaths. 2e ha&e to ac(now!ed$e this new dan$er in the East now and !earn the !essons from this so that peace and the ru!e of !aw can pre&ai!. EuropeUs nascent common dip!omac', its timid attempts to bui!d a 9oint defense too! wi!! not sur&i&e if no response is made. =ut be'ond this our 0tates are under cha!!en$e in the absence of a credib!e Russian partner. Their si!ence wou!d mean their !on$ term exc!usion from the ri$ht to re$u!ate securit' on our continent and to be a$ents in the sett!ement of disputes which, because of the present crisis, wi!! sure!' occur in Europe. The response has to be European and defined autonomous!'. It cannot 9ust be !e$a! and po!itica! because Russian inter&entionism hera!ds a defeat in terms of the !aw. EuropeUs first !esson is to remember that acti&e dip!omac' cannot 9ust content itse!f with the !aw and cannot be underta(en without Shard power. 2e (now this a!read'. The !atter demands that it define its own po!ic' and not a!wa's in !ine with its a!!iances. In a!! !i(e!ihood for the Europeans the annexation of Crimea imp!ies that a!! the Sdi&idends of peace ha&e been cashed in and a new cha!!en$e. This must not wea(en their foundin$ be!ief that the !aw is the best instrument to sett!e re!ations between 0tates and men. 2hen (raine became independent in 1""1, it inherited a nuc!ear arsena! from the 0o&iet nion, which made it the fourth !ar$est nuc!ear power in the wor!d. +fter much persuasion from western countries, in 1""5 (raine $a&e up these weapons, and the' were remo&ed from the countr'. In return, (raine was reassured b' the !eaders of the nited 0tates, Russia, and the nited Kin$dom of its securit', so&erei$nt', and the in&io!abi!it' of its borders. Russia has in&aded Crimea, but the nited 0tates and the nited Kin$dom are sti!! committed to this promise. f course, promises ma' be bro(en without much reaction. =ut this ma' spar( $rowin$ concerns about countries not de&e!opin$ nuc!ear weapons, which ma' ha&e $ra&e imp!ications for $!oba! securit'. The next steps are sti!! unc!earXwe must wait and see. Respectfu!!' 0ubmitted. =atan$as Cit', ?7:arch?*1#.
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Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
Term Paper: Russian’s Annexation of Crimea in Ukraine and the Continuation 1 of Cessation of Pro-Russian Rebels in the East
