Trump's Suggestion for Crimea: Dismantling a Foundationstone of the Global System Established for Decades
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President Trump's ponderings on Ukraine recognizing Russia's authority over Crimea have the potential to disrupt worldwide peace and legal norms. Yeah, you heard that right, dude.
Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, has been clear that this issue ain't up for discussion - it goes against the country's constitution. When reporters quizzed him on the matter, he just laughed it off, saying, "There's nothing to talk about, man. It's illegal as fuck."
Trump, being Trump, wasn't too pleased with Zelensky's stance. He claimed it made settling the war "so fucking difficult" and called Crimea "lost years ago." To back up his arguments, he reiterated his proposals on ending the war, stating, "Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky gets it, and everyone knows it's belonged to them for a long time."
This back-and-forth between the two heads of state has placed the region back in the spotlight. Here's what you should know.
Is this legal?
Nah, fam. If the Trump administration somehow backed Russia's control over Crimea, they'd be breaking international law and countless agreements made by the U.S., including the first Trump administration.
According to Sergey Vasiliev, an international law expert at the Open University in the Netherlands, such a move would be invalid. He explained, "Territorial acquisitions resulting from the use of force shall not be recognized as legal is basically one of the bedrock principles of international law."
Recognizing Crimea as part of Russia would also violate the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, where the U.S. committed to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and borders in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons. In 2018, under the first Trump administration, then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo affirmed the U.S.'s refusal to acknowledge the Kremlin's claims over Crimea.
What would it mean in practice?
Since recognizing Crimea as Russian territory would be against international laws and norms, it's unlikely other countries would follow suit. Carla Ferstman, a law professor at Essex University, explained, "Given the unpredictability of the Trump administration, it's hard to say that it would have any practical impact."
However, if Trump's stance became permanent, it would make it harder for the U.S. to engage in joint efforts to support Ukraine and widen the rift between the U.S. and other NATO partners.
Why is Crimea so important to Ukraine?
For one, Crimea has been part of independent Ukraine since the country split from the Soviet Union in 1991. Over 2.5 million people lived there before the illegal annexation in 2014, and many more visited the tourist hotspot, known for its beaches and nature reserves. Crimea holds emotional significance for many other Ukrainians as well.
How did Russia annex Crimea?
The Crimea crisis started shortly after the 2014 Maidan protests that ousted Ukraine's Russian-backed regime. As Ukraine grappled with the chaos, Russian troops disguised as civilians or in uniform without identifying markings began showing up across the peninsula, taking control of government buildings and military bases. Despite Moscow's denials, it held a sham referendum on joining Russia weeks later.
Did Ukraine fight for Crimea?
Trump asked, "Why didn't they fight for it 11 years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" The truth is more complex than that. The Russian operation took Ukraine and the world by surprise, overpowering the Ukrainians after weeks of covertly beefing up its military presence on the peninsula.
Moscow says Crimea was always Russian. Is that true?
No. Before the annexation, Crimea was part of independent Ukraine, known as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the only self-governing region within unitary Ukraine. The peninsula voted for Ukrainian independence in a referendum in 1991. For most of its long written history, Crimea was under the control of various empires and was part of the Soviet Republic of Ukraine before 1954.
What has happened since?
Russia has imposed a harsh and repressive regime on Crimea and its people over the past 11 years, human rights observers report. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has repeatedly documented human rights violations allegedly committed by Russia in occupied Crimea, from unlawful detentions and sexual abuse to forcing people to send their kids to Russian schools and training programs. Russia has denied these allegations repeatedly.
According to official data from the Ukrainian government, more than 64,000 people have fled Crimea since the annexation, but estimates from Crimean NGOs suggest the number might be twice as high. Meanwhile, Moscow has been working on a plan to Russianize the peninsula, offering incentives for Russian citizens to move there and encouraging an increase in the Russian population.
- The controversy surrounding President Trump's suggestions about Ukraine recognizing Russia's authority over Crimea revolves around its legal validity, as it would go against international law and principles, breaching agreements such as the Budapest Memorandum and numerous international norms.
- Sergey Vasiliev, an international law expert at the Open University in the Netherlands, has stated that any attempt to recognize Crimea as part of Russia would be invalid, as territorial acquisitions resulting from the use of force are not legal in international law.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's leader, has been vocal in denying any discussion about Ukraine recognizing Russia's control over Crimea, deeming it as illegal and against the country's constitution.
- If the Trump administration were to recognize Crimea as part of Russia, it would likely have significant repercussions in the realm of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news, particularly with regard to the U.S.'s relationships with NATO partners and joint efforts to support Ukraine.
