2024-03-16 08:43:00
March 2024 marks 10 years since the reunification of Crimea with Russia, which occurred after a referendum was held. About 95.6% of Sevastopol residents voted for the reunification of the city with the Russian Federation. Also, the corresponding decree was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. URA.RU talks about the events of the Crimean Spring.
History of Crimea as part of states
In 1783, Crimea was annexed to the Russian Empire. During the Russian Civil War (1917-1922), it became one of the last bastions of the White movement. During the Soviet years, the peninsula was part of the RSFSR. However, in 1954 it was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR by decision of the Soviet leadership. Since 1992, Crimea has been listed as part of independent Ukraine. In March 2014, after the events called the “Crimean Spring” and the holding of the All-Crimean referendum on March 18, Crimea became part of the Russian Federation.
The time of Crimea’s entry into Russia
Maidan and the beginning of the political crisis in Ukraine
The Crimean Spring is a period that began with the political crisis in Ukraine in November 2013, when President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union. This decision provoked mass protests in Kyiv, which were initially aimed at European integration, but gradually grew into demands for political reforms and the resignation of the president.
Escalation of protests and change of government
Protests on the Maidan escalated after the violent crackdown on demonstrators on November 30, 2013. These events led to large-scale clashes with law enforcement agencies and bloodshed in February 2014. As a result of the escalation of the conflict, the Verkhovna Rada removed Yanukovych from power, after which he left the country.
Protests in Crimea and changes in power
In Crimea, which had an autonomous status and a specific demographic composition, opinions were divided regarding the events on the Maidan. The region began its own protests directed against the new government in Kyiv. The rallies expressed support for the idea of holding a referendum on the status of Crimea and possible annexation to Russia.
Referendum and annexation of Crimea to Russia
The referendum took place on March 16, 2014. At it, the majority of Crimean residents spoke in favor of joining the Russian Federation. After this, on March 18, 2014, an agreement was signed on the admission of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian Federation and the formation of new subjects of the Federation. The signing ceremony was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, representatives of Crimea and Sevastopol. A decree was also signed on the creation of the Crimean Federal District, which in 2016 was included in the Southern Federal District.
Celebration and the new Constitution of Crimea
In Moscow, Sevastopol and Simferopol, fireworks were given in honor of the annexation. Later, on April 11, 2014, the Constitution of the Republic of Crimea was adopted. She established Russian, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar as state languages.
Economic consequences and international reaction
The annexation of Crimea to Russia caused international sanctions from the European Union, the United States and other countries. They affected both individuals and entire sectors of the economy, including energy, transport and investment. For example, negotiations on holding a Russia-EU summit, as well as on further cooperation, were suspended.
Consequences of the Crimean Spring for the region
Since the annexation of Crimea to Russia, significant investments have been made in the peninsula’s infrastructure, including energy, transport, medicine and education. The construction of the Crimean Bridge significantly improved transport accessibility of the region. Steps have also been taken to improve the water supply after Ukraine closed the North Crimean Canal.
40 billion rubles were allocated to modernize the medical sector, as a result of which the peninsula received modern equipment and new ambulances. In addition, by 2023, over 80 kindergartens and seven schools have been opened in Crimea.
Russians’ reaction to the annexation of Crimea
About 86% of respondents are confident that Russia did the right thing, when it annexed Crimea to its territory. According to a study by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM), 57% of Russians surveyed feel proud of this event.
In turn, 77% of respondents are confident that the annexation of Sevastopol and Crimea had a positive impact on the country’s defense capability. In addition, 74% of respondents believe that after joining the Russian Federation, Crimea began to develop more successfully.
International reaction to the annexation of Crimea to Russia
Condemnation from the US and Europe
Joe Biden, who was US vice president in 2014, predicted increasing political and economic isolation of Russia, as well as new sanctions. Former President Barack Obama, after communicating with Vladimir Putin, said that the world would not recognize the results of the referendum, citing a violation of the Constitution of Ukraine.
William Hague, who was the head of the British Foreign Office, announced the cessation of supplies of military equipment to Russia. Former French President Francois Hollande released an official statement, noting that the country does not recognize the results of the referendum and the annexation of Crimea to Russia.
China’s position and voting at the UN
China, along with representatives of 58 other countries, abstained from voting on a UN resolution condemning the annexation of Crimea to Russia. It was supported by 100 countries, with 11 voting against.
Ukraine’s actions
Ukraine immediately began a diplomatic fight for the return of Crimea. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who became Prime Minister in 2014, said that Ukraine does not recognize the referendum. The UN Security Council met at the initiative of Kyiv to discuss the Crimean events, as a result of which a decision was made not to recognize the referendum. Russia used its veto power when voting for the relevant resolution.
Petro Poroshenko, who became the president of Ukraine in the summer of 2014, promised to return Crimea to the country. Ukraine currently refers to Crimea as a “temporarily occupied territory” and has stated its intention to return it to its control.
Earlier, the permanent representative of Crimea to the President of the Russian Federation, Georgy Muradov, said that the West does not recognize the results of the referendum in Crimea. According to him, they thwarted Western plans to create a naval base in Sevastopol. In addition, the permanent representative of Crimea noted that this is also connected with attempts to oust the Black Sea Fleet from the region.
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