Crimean Issue Between Russia And Ukraine Essay

Submitted By drumple7159
Words: 2058
Pages: 9

To begin, the real World issue I have decided to research is the international Crimean issue between Russia and Ukraine. The dispute is between Russia and Ukraine over the control of the Crimean Peninsula. This real World issue began after the Ukraine Revolution and on 21 February 2014 President Viktor Yanukovych fled the Ukrainian capital Kiev. As a result, the Ukrainian parliament removed him from power the next day and appointed Oleksandr Turchynov, who formed an interim government. On 23 February pro-Russian protests were held in the Crimean city of Sevastopol and beginning on February 26, pro-Russian forces began to swiftly occupy strategic positions and infrastructure across the Crimean peninsula. Reports then began to surface about the presence of military personnel equipped with Russian weapons and in Russian-made uniform without insignia. With unmarked, pro-Russian forces rapidly occupying strategic sites across the Crimean peninsula including the Crimean Parliament buildings, a session of the Crimean Parliament voted to dismiss the Crimean government, replace its Prime Minister, and call a referendum on Crimea's behalf. The ensuing 16 March 2014 referendum on whether to join Russia, held while the peninsula was occupied by Russian soldiers, had an official turnout of 83% and officially resulted in an affirmative vote. The referendum was condemned by the EU, the US, Ukraine and the representatives of the Crimean Tatars for violating Ukraine's constitution and international law. The following day, the Crimean Parliament declared independence from Ukraine and asked to join the Russian Federation. On March 18, Russia and the separatist government of Crimea signed a treaty of accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol into the Russian Federation. On March 27, the UN General Assembly passed a non-binding Resolution 68/262 that declared the Crimean referendum invalid and the incorporation of Crimea into Russia illegal. On April 15, the Ukrainian parliament declared Crimea a territory temporarily occupied by Russia. Through the duration of the crisis numerous citizens were killed and thousands of people were in danger because of the violent protests. As a result of this real world issue, a major economic crisis began. The two leading indexes of the Moscow fell in trading on March 3, resulting in a loss of nearly $60 billion. The social component involved is that Russia used their gas supply as leverage over the Ukraine. When Ukraine refused to meet Russia’s demands, Russia stopped providing parts of Ukraine with gas that they needed to heat homes and cook food. As a result, other European countries will reduce their energy dependence on Russia to avoid Russia using it as leverage against them. This will create more social conflicts between Russia and other countries. Also there is a strong political component that was involved in the Crimean issue. Ukraine appointed a new government leader, Crimea declared a referendum from Ukraine and the Russian Federation, led by Vladimir Putin, signed a treaty with the Republic of Crimea. I believe that this World Issue falls into the political category. The political category involves power structures within and between governments. This category perfectly fits this crisis since the reason that this began in the first place is because Russia’s government wanted to take over the Crimea Peninsula. They did this by forcing Crimea to declare independence from Ukraine, since Crimea had to form a new government they were vulnerable and Russia’s government convinced them to sign a treaty. Apart from the political category, this real World issue could fall into the economic and resources category. The economic category involves money and finance. This applies to the crisis since the two leading indexes of Moscow fell in trading and they suffered a near $60 billion loss. The resource category involves Earths natural resources. Russia has an abundance of oil that they supply to the