On March 16th 2014, Crimeans voted to break away from Ukraine and become part of Russia. Russia ratified a treaty on March 24th, 2014, stating its agreement in the annexation of Crimea. The conflict arises internationally with Russia’s violation of international law. Western countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, claim that Russia’s militaristic actions concerning Crimea are unjustified and uncalled for in this situation.
The conflict in Crimea originates back to when President Yanukovych, former president of Ukraine, abandoned his initial agreements with the European Union. He claimed that ties with Moscow, Russia were more powerful and beneficial for Crimea. According to a recent ABC News article, 60% Crimeans are ethnic Russians, leaving the 40% of the people to protest against Yanukovych’s government policies.
Stated in a recent USA Today article concerning Crimea, President Yanukovych fled the region on February 22nd after his government’s military killed 82 protesters near Kiev. As a result of Yanukovych leaving the country without any formal government, both pro-Russia and anti-Russia forces publicly protested. Russia currently has military forces surrounding the Ukraine Parliament’s military bases in Crimea.
Western nations are concerned with Russia’s claim over Crimea. The USA Today article details the history of Russia in reference to the Cold War. After 1991, when the territorial disputes were distinguished after the Cold War, Poland, East Germany, republics of Ukraine, Latvia and other countries were given independence, and they developed into peaceful democracies. But Vladimir Putin, the current president of Russia, threatens this sense of peace.
Many people do not understand the intensity of the situation with Crimea. Brian Scanlan ‘14 states, “Crimea should just remain independent. Half the world is fighting for independence. Why give up the fight?” Scanlan’s comment sheds light on the annexation as a whole. However, he does not take into account the intensity of pro-Russia feelings within Crimea that make the decision to become part of Russia more problematic within the region. Due to the fact that Crimea was once part of the Soviet Union, Crimeans continue to protest in favor of the decision.
Peace negotiations regarding Crimea continue to keep the countries of the world on the edges of their seats as they wait for the final effect: complete destruction, a tiny step to world peace, or something else entirely.