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Why Crimea could be a flashpoint
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Why Crimea could be a flashpointPosted:
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Joined: Sep 30, 201310Year Member
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Status: Offline
Joined: Sep 30, 201310Year Member
Posts: 97
Reputation Power: 3
Pro-Russian protesters and Tatars have clashed over the future of Crimea
Continue reading the main story
Ukraine crisis
How close to war?
Ukrainians in UK voice fear
Russia TV ramps up rhetoric
As it happened: Mobilisation call
In the aftermath of the revolution in Kiev - in which pro-Western Ukrainians ousted President Viktor Yanukovych - the focus has shifted to the southern region of Crimea where Russia has deployed troops, triggering a call for reservists across Ukraine and a full-blown international crisis.
Why has Crimea become a flashpoint?
Crimea is a centre of pro-Russian sentiment, which can spill into separatism. The region - a peninsula on Ukraine's Black Sea coast - has 2.3 million people, most of whom identify themselves as ethnic Russians and speak Russian.
The region voted heavily for Viktor Yanukovych in the 2010 presidential election, and many people there believe he is the victim of a coup - leading to attempts by separatists in Crimea's parliament to push for a vote on whether it should leave Ukraine.
Crimea: Ukraine's next flashpoint?
Is Crimea truly Ukrainian?
Watch a short history of the Republic of Crimea
Russia has been the dominant power in Crimea for most of the past 200 years, since it annexed the region in 1783. However, it was transferred by Moscow to Ukraine - then part of the Soviet Union - in 1954. Some ethnic Russians see that as a historical wrong.
However, another significant minority, the Muslim Crimean Tatars, point out that they were once the majority in Ukraine, and were deported in large numbers by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1944 for alleged collaboration with Nazi invaders in World War Two.
Ethnic Ukrainians made up 24% of the population in Crimea according to the 2001 census, compared with 58% Russians and 12% Tatars.
Tatars have been returning since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 - causing persistent tensions with Russians over land rights.
Crimea profile
What is its legal status?
It remains legally part of Ukraine - a status that Russia backed when pledging to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine in a memorandum signed in 1994, also signed by the US, UK and France.
It is an autonomous republic within Ukraine, electing its own parliament. However, the post of Crimean president was abolished in 1995, shortly after a pro-Russian Crimean separatist won the post with a big majority.
Since then Kiev has appointed Crimea's prime minister in consultation with the regional parliament. But on Thursday an unofficial pro-Moscow leader was appointed by Crimean MPs. On Saturday he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for help to ensure peace.
What is Russia doing?
Russia's lease on the Sevastopol base lasts until 2042
Russia has a major naval base in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, where its Black Sea Fleet is based. Under the terms of the lease, any movement of Russian troops outside the base must be authorised by the Ukrainian government.
However Moscow has sent extra troops and used its military might to take control of the peninsula, saying it was responsible for the safety of ethnic Russians in the region.
There have been reports of Russian envoys distributing Russian passports in the peninsula. Russia's defence laws allow military action overseas to "protect Russian citizens".
Could the Crimean crisis spark a war?
Vladimir Putin has obtained parliamentary approval for troop deployments not just in Crimea, but Ukraine as a whole. Moscow, which regards the new authorities in Kiev as fascists, could send troops to "protect" Russian-speakers in eastern Ukraine.
It is difficult to rule out bloodshed, as the move is bound to enrage nationalists in western Ukraine. There could also be international repercussions. Western powers have strongly condemned the Crimea takeover.
Nato is unlikely to react militarily, but Central European members could push for a troop deployment on the Poland-Ukraine border.
The West could also impose sanctions, but President Putin may believe that they will not last - as was the case during the Georgian war.
What happened in Georgia?
In 2008, Russia sent troops into the breakaway region of South Ossetia in 2008, saying its Russian-speakers needed protection. Georgian forces were routed. Nato decided not to intervene.
But Crimea is bigger than South Ossetia, Ukraine bigger than Georgia, and the Crimean population more divided than in pro-Russian South Ossetia. The stakes on both sides are much higher now.
Moscow resents what it sees as EU and Nato overtures to Ukraine. This is not just a geopolitical battle for influence in Russia's backyard. President Putin is seeking to protect land that he regards as historically and culturally tied to Russia.
Comparing Crimea and South Ossetia (Eurasianet)
Wasn't there once a war in Crimea?
Crimea has been fought over - and changed hands - many times in its history.
The occasion many will have heard of is the Crimean War of 1853-1856, known in Britain for the Siege of Sevastopol, the Charge of the Light Brigade, and the medical advances made by Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole.
The war was a result of rival imperial ambitions, when Britain and France, suspicious of Russian ambitions in the Balkans as the Ottoman Empire declined, sent troops to Crimea to peg them back. Russia lost.
I personally think this shit is gonna hit the fan, I think this could spark world war 3.
Source, all of it is from here: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
Continue reading the main story
Ukraine crisis
How close to war?
Ukrainians in UK voice fear
Russia TV ramps up rhetoric
As it happened: Mobilisation call
In the aftermath of the revolution in Kiev - in which pro-Western Ukrainians ousted President Viktor Yanukovych - the focus has shifted to the southern region of Crimea where Russia has deployed troops, triggering a call for reservists across Ukraine and a full-blown international crisis.
Why has Crimea become a flashpoint?
Crimea is a centre of pro-Russian sentiment, which can spill into separatism. The region - a peninsula on Ukraine's Black Sea coast - has 2.3 million people, most of whom identify themselves as ethnic Russians and speak Russian.
The region voted heavily for Viktor Yanukovych in the 2010 presidential election, and many people there believe he is the victim of a coup - leading to attempts by separatists in Crimea's parliament to push for a vote on whether it should leave Ukraine.
Crimea: Ukraine's next flashpoint?
Is Crimea truly Ukrainian?
Watch a short history of the Republic of Crimea
Russia has been the dominant power in Crimea for most of the past 200 years, since it annexed the region in 1783. However, it was transferred by Moscow to Ukraine - then part of the Soviet Union - in 1954. Some ethnic Russians see that as a historical wrong.
However, another significant minority, the Muslim Crimean Tatars, point out that they were once the majority in Ukraine, and were deported in large numbers by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1944 for alleged collaboration with Nazi invaders in World War Two.
Ethnic Ukrainians made up 24% of the population in Crimea according to the 2001 census, compared with 58% Russians and 12% Tatars.
Tatars have been returning since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 - causing persistent tensions with Russians over land rights.
Crimea profile
What is its legal status?
It remains legally part of Ukraine - a status that Russia backed when pledging to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine in a memorandum signed in 1994, also signed by the US, UK and France.
It is an autonomous republic within Ukraine, electing its own parliament. However, the post of Crimean president was abolished in 1995, shortly after a pro-Russian Crimean separatist won the post with a big majority.
Since then Kiev has appointed Crimea's prime minister in consultation with the regional parliament. But on Thursday an unofficial pro-Moscow leader was appointed by Crimean MPs. On Saturday he asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for help to ensure peace.
What is Russia doing?
Russia's lease on the Sevastopol base lasts until 2042
Russia has a major naval base in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, where its Black Sea Fleet is based. Under the terms of the lease, any movement of Russian troops outside the base must be authorised by the Ukrainian government.
However Moscow has sent extra troops and used its military might to take control of the peninsula, saying it was responsible for the safety of ethnic Russians in the region.
There have been reports of Russian envoys distributing Russian passports in the peninsula. Russia's defence laws allow military action overseas to "protect Russian citizens".
Could the Crimean crisis spark a war?
Vladimir Putin has obtained parliamentary approval for troop deployments not just in Crimea, but Ukraine as a whole. Moscow, which regards the new authorities in Kiev as fascists, could send troops to "protect" Russian-speakers in eastern Ukraine.
It is difficult to rule out bloodshed, as the move is bound to enrage nationalists in western Ukraine. There could also be international repercussions. Western powers have strongly condemned the Crimea takeover.
Nato is unlikely to react militarily, but Central European members could push for a troop deployment on the Poland-Ukraine border.
The West could also impose sanctions, but President Putin may believe that they will not last - as was the case during the Georgian war.
What happened in Georgia?
In 2008, Russia sent troops into the breakaway region of South Ossetia in 2008, saying its Russian-speakers needed protection. Georgian forces were routed. Nato decided not to intervene.
But Crimea is bigger than South Ossetia, Ukraine bigger than Georgia, and the Crimean population more divided than in pro-Russian South Ossetia. The stakes on both sides are much higher now.
Moscow resents what it sees as EU and Nato overtures to Ukraine. This is not just a geopolitical battle for influence in Russia's backyard. President Putin is seeking to protect land that he regards as historically and culturally tied to Russia.
Comparing Crimea and South Ossetia (Eurasianet)
Wasn't there once a war in Crimea?
Crimea has been fought over - and changed hands - many times in its history.
The occasion many will have heard of is the Crimean War of 1853-1856, known in Britain for the Siege of Sevastopol, the Charge of the Light Brigade, and the medical advances made by Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole.
The war was a result of rival imperial ambitions, when Britain and France, suspicious of Russian ambitions in the Balkans as the Ottoman Empire declined, sent troops to Crimea to peg them back. Russia lost.
I personally think this shit is gonna hit the fan, I think this could spark world war 3.
Source, all of it is from here: [ Register or Signin to view external links. ]
You are viewing our Forum Archives. To view or take place in current topics click here.