In response to US major military buildup
in Eastern Europe and sanctions,the Crimean parliament and Sevastopol's city council
have voted in favor of joining Russia. The decision will only come in
force if it is approved by the Crimeans at a referendum which will be
held in 10 days.
Russian-backed forces have taken over the strategic peninsula, which hosts a major Russian naval base at Sevastopol and where most of the population is Russian speaking.
US President Barack Obama unilaterally issued an executive order authorizing sanctions and visa bans against Russian officials.While, EU officials announced a similar, three-step plan for sanctions on Russia, echoing Obama’s arguments.
Obama’s order described Russian actions in Crimea as “an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.” Obama’s message to Congress stated it would target “persons—including persons who have asserted governmental authority in the Crimean region without the authorization of the government of Ukraine—who undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine.
Russian-backed forces have taken over the strategic peninsula, which hosts a major Russian naval base at Sevastopol and where most of the population is Russian speaking.
US President Barack Obama unilaterally issued an executive order authorizing sanctions and visa bans against Russian officials.While, EU officials announced a similar, three-step plan for sanctions on Russia, echoing Obama’s arguments.
Obama’s order described Russian actions in Crimea as “an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.” Obama’s message to Congress stated it would target “persons—including persons who have asserted governmental authority in the Crimean region without the authorization of the government of Ukraine—who undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine.
Obama added, “The proposed referendum on
the future of Crimea would violate the Ukrainian constitution and
violate international law. Any discussion about the future of Ukraine
must include the legitimate government of Ukraine.” He added, “In 2014,
we’re well past the days when borders can be drawn over the heads of
democratic leaders.”
At the heat of the crisis is the peculiar features of Ukraine with eastern side Crimea comprising 58% ethnic Russian population,24% Muslim Tatars and the only remaining 12% have Ukrainian links.
Ukraineˈs new government came to power last week following months of pro-democracy protests against the countryˈs pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, and his decision to turn Ukraine towards Russia instead of the EU.
Crimea is home to Russiaˈs Black Sea fleet and had been part of Russia since the late 18th century before Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev transferred it to Ukraine as a ˈgiftˈ in 1954. The crisis mainly started when president Viktor Yanukovych surrounded by Ukrainian population was virtually forced to quit the country and he later surfaced in Russia .The ethnic Russians broadly look at this as an unconstitutional coup as democratic process of holding elections was not adopted or followed.
The situation deteriorated when Russian military activity in Crimea home to Russia’s Black fleet started increasing on 2nd March14,armed troops forced entry at the Ukraine navy HQ in Sevastopol
Ukrainain Defence Minister stated that 6000 extra Russian troops and 30% additional armored vehicles were there in Crimea.
TV coverage of Ukraine crisis on Russia and Ukraine channels prominent gave rise to concerns of Russians and main stream Ukrainians that flamed the passions on both sides rather than resolving the problem and calming down the passions.
It is harder to tackle the main problem when Ukrainian population on the western side of the country tilts towards EU where they view greater scope of economic activity,more jobs and closer cultural ties.
With Russian, Ukrainian sticking to their positions ,the uphill task of normalizing the situation and finally resolving the crisis has to be tackled cautiously with lot of hard work and sobriety.
Meanwhile 28 NATO countries while condemning Russia’s military escalation in Crimea expressed grave concerns over Kremlin’s authorization to deploy armed forced at Ukraine termed it as a violation of sovereignty.
At the heat of the crisis is the peculiar features of Ukraine with eastern side Crimea comprising 58% ethnic Russian population,24% Muslim Tatars and the only remaining 12% have Ukrainian links.
Ukraineˈs new government came to power last week following months of pro-democracy protests against the countryˈs pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, and his decision to turn Ukraine towards Russia instead of the EU.
Crimea is home to Russiaˈs Black Sea fleet and had been part of Russia since the late 18th century before Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev transferred it to Ukraine as a ˈgiftˈ in 1954. The crisis mainly started when president Viktor Yanukovych surrounded by Ukrainian population was virtually forced to quit the country and he later surfaced in Russia .The ethnic Russians broadly look at this as an unconstitutional coup as democratic process of holding elections was not adopted or followed.
The situation deteriorated when Russian military activity in Crimea home to Russia’s Black fleet started increasing on 2nd March14,armed troops forced entry at the Ukraine navy HQ in Sevastopol
Ukrainain Defence Minister stated that 6000 extra Russian troops and 30% additional armored vehicles were there in Crimea.
TV coverage of Ukraine crisis on Russia and Ukraine channels prominent gave rise to concerns of Russians and main stream Ukrainians that flamed the passions on both sides rather than resolving the problem and calming down the passions.
It is harder to tackle the main problem when Ukrainian population on the western side of the country tilts towards EU where they view greater scope of economic activity,more jobs and closer cultural ties.
With Russian, Ukrainian sticking to their positions ,the uphill task of normalizing the situation and finally resolving the crisis has to be tackled cautiously with lot of hard work and sobriety.
Meanwhile 28 NATO countries while condemning Russia’s military escalation in Crimea expressed grave concerns over Kremlin’s authorization to deploy armed forced at Ukraine termed it as a violation of sovereignty.
The EU, meeting in Brussels on Thursday, threatened "serious consequences" if Russia did not act to de-escalate the crisis.
President Putin said US-Russian "relations should not be sacrificed due to disagreements over individual, albeit extremely significant, international problems," the Kremlin said.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the situation remained "highly precarious, the slightest miscalculation could see it spiral out of control".
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