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What is happening in Crimea?

What is happening in Crimea? Do you find it hard to keep up? Political crises are often complex and it is not always easy to grasp the context. I found an American site that explains quite clearly how certain things are related to the unrest in Crimea. Here is an abridged version. The pictures are from our holiday in Yalta, Crimea in the summer of 2010.

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What is Crimea?

Crimea became part of the Ukraine 1954, and is a self-governing region. About half the population are ethnic Russians, a quarter are Crimean Tatars (who were deported by Stalin and detest Russia) and a quarter are ethnic Ukrainians.

Why does Russia want Crimea?

Crimea dominates Russian history and is a source of Russian pride. The Crimean War was fought here and Yalta hosted the famous talks between Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill. Even more important is the Russian naval base in Sevastopol, which is essential for Russia as a global military power.

Why does Ukraine want Crimea?

Crimea belongs to Ukraine, is home to many Ukrainians and is where Ukrainians go on holiday. At the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear weapons and Russia promised to respect its territorial integrity - if they don't now, Putin is signalling that all agreements signed during Russia's period of weakness in the 1990s are null and void.

What is being done about the situation?

If Putin wants to take Crimea, there is little Ukraine, the US or NATO can do about it. Russia has plenty of military resources and if there is a referendum, Putin can put his finger on the scale to make it look legitimate.

What are the consequences?

If Putin takes Crimea, it will certainly lead to condemnation and sanctions, which could negatively affect Russia's economy. Russia will also lose ties with the rest of Ukraine and sow the seeds of conflicts with neighbouring countries and minorities that will last for decades.

Vad händer på Krim?
What is happening in Crimea? It's not easy to keep up with all the twists and turns ...

Source: Forbes

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