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.
Source: Forbes
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BP says:
Short and sweet - interesting reading. I feel incredibly sorry for the Ukrainians who have nothing to oppose.
To be honest, I think Putin & Co. don't care what Obama and the rest of the world says. He does exactly what he wants.
03 March 2014 - 17:22
Mr Steve says:
Thank you for that lesson. Your lovely pictures are a far cry from what I see daily on the news. Tragic, but unfortunately this is the world.
In times like these, I appreciate living in the safety of Sweden even more.
03 March 2014 - 19:55
Elisabeth says:
Thanks for a great summary. Haven't kept up with the news, so your points are a good help for me.
03 March 2014 - 20:28
Aniika says:
Thank you, very interesting reading. Hard to understand that this is happening so close to us. This stealing of land from each other, when will we humans stop it? I thought we had come further than that...
03 March 2014 - 21:27
Ulla & Torgny says:
Thank you very much for the info....... interesting reading..... was just talking about how it will be.........Don't think Putin cares........
Hug Ulla
04 March 2014 - 0:00
Camilla says:
Says like the others, thanks for the summary! I myself have not really kept up as I do not have time to see so much news nowadays because of the little one. At the computer I mostly sit o google recipes and blogs 😛
Hope it all ends in a good way, don't like when there is a lot of worry in the world :/
04 March 2014 - 9:42
Agneta says:
Thank you for another summary, here quite short and easy to understand. Trying to keep up with the tragic developments and unfortunately see no relief yet.
04 March 2014 - 18:56
admin says:
BP, you don't exactly trust Putin right now... wonder what he's up to...?
Steve, Crimea is very nice and that's how we remember it. And of course that is an extra reason to want that peninsula!
Elisabeth, we have been following the news reports with particular interest as we have been to Ukraine several times.
Aniika, you've gotten used to a fairly quiet time, and Russia has seemed harmless for quite some time...
Ulla & Torgny, you really wonder what will happen.
Camilla, it is difficult to keep up with all the conflicts. We were particularly interested in this one because we've been to Ukraine several times and are familiar with the country.
Agneta, no, it's like it adds problems all the time instead of the other way round...
05 March 2014 - 7:35
Titti says:
Great and very educational!!!
18 March 2014 - 19:26