Russia Crimea Conflict By Tony Shaw

Russia – Crimea Conflict By Tony Shaw

The Conflict The conflict is between Russia and Ukraine § Russia took control of Crimea without a plausible reason meaning they violated International Law § Crimea was a part of Ukraine until Russia took control in late February Crimea Russia Ukraine

Map of the Area

Importance of Crimea • Crimea is a Militarily Strategic Area • It is a Peninsula on the Black Sea and leads to larger bodies of water • Russia already had a Navy Base in Sevastopol, Crimea which was allowed by the Ukrainian Government. • Russia had to pay rent to Ukraine to have the Naval Base in Crimea • A lot of Russia Gas exports travel through Ukraine and also one that travels through Crimea, so Russia has a strong economic influence in Ukraine • Location!

Where it Started • This is not the first time Crimea has been fought over • The original Crimean War was fought in 1853 between Russia and an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain, and Sardinia – This was Russia that was trying to take over Crimea for purposes of expansion • Russia eventually lost this war and Crimea was heavily damaged, but Russia retained control of Crimea • After a revolution ended the Russian Empire in 1917, Crimea was briefly its own nation – Until it was dragged into Civil Wars in Russia, where it became a part of the anti-communist movement • Crimea went through a succession of governments in a short period of time after and eventually became known as the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1921

Where it Started • That lasted until 1945 when it became an administrative region of Russia called the Crimean Oblast • The Red Army took control of Crimea in 1944 and deported most non-Russians, including all the native people – The native people, Crimean Tartars, were not allowed to return until the end of Soviet Russia • Strangely in 1954, Russia gave Crimea to Ukraine • Russia demanded Ukraine return Crimea to Russia, but demands were never met – There was a referendum held in 1991 where Crimeans voted to stay a part of Ukraine but also have their own president

Map of Russian Speaking Population

Russia’s Justification of Taking Crimea • Russia claims that Crimean citizens should be able to vote if they want to be independent or a part of Russia – Crimea does not have the option to stay a part of Ukraine • Russia claims the referendum was legal • Russia broadcasts a large protest of “Crimeans” in Crimea yelling that they wanted to be a part of Russia

IT WAS STAGED! • Artem is from Ukraine and is currently living there. • He says that the broadcasts of protest claiming that the people of Crimea wanted to be a part of Russia were fake • The Russian government had groups of people in Russia protesting that they wanted to be part of Russia, BUT the Russian government said that the protest were in Ukraine

Reactions to the Referendum • Ukraine – Ukraine’s government rejects the referendum as unconstitutional • U. S. and European Leaders – Agree with Ukraine that the referendum is a violation of the Ukraine constitution and international law

International Involvement • G 8 kicks Russia for annexation of Crimea – Annex – to take without permission • The now G 7 is a united front against Russia – U. S. , Canada, Japan, four of Europe’s strongest countries • U. S. announces sanctions against Russia officials

Sanctions Announced Against Russia • U. S. announces Sanctions against Russia such as: – Freezing the accounts of Russia’s assets within the U. S. jurisdiction – Freezing the accounts of Russian government officials and members of Russia’s inner circle, such as close friends of Putin • U. S. wants to get all of Europe on board with the sanctions, increasing the detriment on Russia’s economy • Sanctions take time to be effective, so it will be a while before Russia feels the effects of the sanctions • The main goal of the sanctions is to stop Russia from invading more of Ukraine

Ukraine – Crimea Border Camps

Artem’s Friend that is in the Ukrainian Army currently stationed at the border between Ukraine and Crimea (Russia)

Summary • Crimea has a long history and if often fought over • Todays conflict is because of Russia illegally taking Ukraine’s territory of Crimea • Russia tried to justify their taking Crimea by a referendum, but it has been declared by International powers that the referendum was illegal • The U. S. and the now G 7 is punishing Russia with sanctions meant to effect Russia’s economy • The U. S. has also made it clear that if Russia continues to invade Ukraine there will be much harsher consequences

Why this Conflict is Important • Russia is still invading other parts of Ukraine even after taking Crimea illegally • If Russia continues the U. S. will intervene – President Obama announces that there will be further action if Russia continues to invade Ukraine • Possibility of war between Russia and Ukraine that could expand to a world war

Sources • • Andrews, Wilson, Bill Marsh, Sergio Pecanha, Archie Tse, Tim Wallace, Derek Watkins, and Karen Yourish. "Ukraine Crisis in Maps. " The New York Times, 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 07 Apr. 2014. <http: //www. nytimes. com/interactive/2014/02/27/world/europe/ukraine-divisionscrimea. html>. Cohen, Tom, Mariano Castillo, and Lena Kashkarova. "Legal or Not, Crimean Referendum Will Shape Ukraine Crisis. " CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. Liebelson, Dana, Hannah Levintova, and Eric Wuestewald. "Conflict in Crimea: Russia Booted From Group of 8. " Mother Jones. N. p. , 14 Mar. 2014. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http: //www. motherjones. com/politics/2014/03/conflict-crimea-russia-ukraine-invade>. Maceda, Jim. "Why Ukraine Conflict Could Look Like World War I. " NBC News. NBC Network, 04 Apr. 2014. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http: //www. nbcnews. com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/why-ukraine-conflictcould-look-world-war-i-n 58776>. Mc. Namara, Robert. "The Crimean War. " About. com 19 th Century History. About. com, n. d. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http: //history 1800 s. about. com/od/europeanwars/a/crimeanwar 01. htm>. "Press Center. " Treasury Sanctions Russian Officials, Members Of The Russian Leadership's Inner Circle, And An Entity For Involvement In The Situation In Ukraine. U. S. Department of the Treasury, 03 Mar. 2014. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http: //www. treasury. gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl 23331. aspx>. Taylor, Adam. "To Understand Crimea, Take a Look Back at Its Complicated History. " Washington Post. The Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2014. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http%3 A%2 F%2 Fwww. washingtonpost. com%2 Fblogs%2 Fworldviews%2 Fwp%2 F 2014%2 F 02%2 F 27%2 Fto-understand-crimea-take-a-look-back-at-its-complicated-history%2 F>. "Why Crimea Is so Important to Russia. " Newsletter. Guardian News and Media Ltd. , 18 Mar. 2014. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http: //gulfnews. com/news/world/usa/why-crimea-is-so-important-to-russia 1. 1305604>.