The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, initially denied any connection with the Russian takeover of Crimea in February 2014. At that time, a group of mysterious masked troops wearing unidentifiable green uniforms occupied the local parliament and spread across the peninsula.

These "little green men" marked the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine, which eventually led to a full-scale invasion in 2022.

The future of Crimea is now at the heart of US President Donald Trump's peace plan, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refuses to recognize Russia's control over the Crimean Peninsula.

The specific terms of the plan have not been released, but reports suggest it includes the United States recognizing Crimea as legally belonging to Russia ("de jure" in Latin).

To Trump, the southern Crimean Peninsula was "lost years ago" and "not even up for discussion" in peace negotiations.

However, for Zelenskyy, giving up Crimea as an integral part of Ukraine is unacceptable.

Opposition MP Iryna Gerashchenko stated, "Territorial integrity and sovereignty are red lines for Ukraine and Ukrainians."

Trump pointed out, "If (Zelenskyy) wants Crimea, why didn't he fight for it when it was handed over to Russia 11 years ago?"

Although there was little fighting, Crimea was forcibly occupied during a power vacuum.

Putin later admitted that he and his officials had planned this land grab during an all-night meeting days after pro-Russian leaders were toppled in Kiev.

Crimea - A Stumbling Block for Trump

For American leaders eager to reach a peace agreement, Crimea may become a stumbling block.

Trump's view is correct; Ukraine has little chance of regaining Crimea in the foreseeable future, and in reality, Crimea is indeed under Russian control. However, this is far from recognizing its legality.

Zelenskyy referred to former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's "Crimea Declaration" in 2018.

Pompeo then stated that the United States rejects "Russia's attempt to annex Crimea" and promised to continue efforts until Ukraine's territorial integrity is restored.

Zelenskyy's implication is that if Trump supported Ukraine on the Crimea issue at the time, he should persist with this stance now.

What does it mean for international law and the principles of the UN Charter if the United States recognizes a land grab not acknowledged by the international community?

A few weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion began, preliminary proposals were put forward in talks in Istanbul to set aside the Crimea issue, leaving Russia and Ukraine to resolve it within 10 to 15 years.

This idea was not adopted but was seen as a way to overcome obstacles.

Zelenskyy is Bound by the Ukrainian Constitution

Zelenskyy firmly stated that he has no authority to abandon Crimea. "There is nothing to discuss here. This violates our constitution."

Article 2 of the constitution states that Ukraine's sovereignty extends to its entire territory, which is "indivisible and inviolable within existing borders."

Any change in Ukraine's territory must be through a national referendum and authorized by the Ukrainian Parliament.

Not only did Trump hit a wall in Kiev, but Russia also considers the Ukrainian constitution an obstacle to peace efforts.

The constitution can be amended, but it cannot be done during a state of emergency in Ukraine.

Recognizing Russia's illegal actions is not just Ukraine's red line but also a frightening precedent for countries like Romania along the Black Sea coast. The impact of this precedent will extend far beyond the Black Sea.

Does Russia Have Sovereignty Over Crimea?

Based on historical reasons, Russians have long considered Crimea as part of their territory, with Putin speaking of a "living and unbreakable connection" with this peninsula, which boasts Black Sea resorts and warm summer climates.

However, in 1991, the collapse of the Soviet Union saw Crimea and other regions of Ukraine vote for independence. At that time, Crimea had the status of an "autonomous republic," and Kiev allowed Russia to lease the Sevastopol port as a base for the Black Sea Fleet.

After the annexation in 2014, Putin sought to consolidate Russia's control over Crimea, first building a 12-mile-long bridge across the Kerch Strait in 2018 and then seizing a land bridge along the Azov Sea coast in 2022.

Putin argued that he was correcting the mistake made by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in transferring Crimea to Ukraine in 1954, saying that Russia was "not simply stolen, but robbed."

In 1783, Crimea was annexed by Tsarist Russia under Catherine the Great and remained largely Russian until Khrushchev decided to transfer it.

Russia and Ukraine were both Soviet republics, so the decision made by the Kremlin in 1954 was not a big deal.

More than half of Crimea's population are Russians, mainly because the majority of Crimean Tatars were exiled by Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in 1944.

It was not until after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 that the Tatars were able to return from exile, and they now make up about 15% of Crimea's population.

Russia quickly organized a referendum in March 2014, but the international community rejected the results, deeming them fabricated. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution supporting Ukraine's sovereignty.

The International Criminal Court ruled that Russia's activities in Crimea constituted "continuous occupation."

Chubarov, chairman of the organization representing Crimean Tatars, Mejlis, insisted that Ukraine must firmly refuse any concessions to territorial integrity for peace.

"Crimea is home to the indigenous Crimean Tatars and an inseparable part of Ukraine," he said.

Crimea May Not Be the Only Issue

Trump's peace plan has yet to be released, but according to various reports and statements from US officials, Ukraine will be required to accept other difficult conditions.

The occupation of nearly 20% of Ukraine's territory by Russia will be recognized in fact, equivalent to freezing hostilities in four Ukrainian regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

According to reports by US media Axios, this will be accompanied by "strong security guarantees," expected to be supported by a "volunteer coalition" including Britain and France, but excluding the United States.

The plan will also promise that Ukraine will not join NATO, although it can still join the EU.

All US sanctions will be lifted and economic cooperation with the US will be strengthened.

Axios also noted that Russia will return a small portion of the occupied area in the Kharkiv region and allow Ukraine to pass unobstructed on the Dnieper River, while the US will take over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which was occupied by Russia in 2022.

In addition, there is a profit-sharing agreement between the US and Ukraine regarding mineral resources. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is expected to sign the agreement with the US on Saturday.

Source: BBC

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497436767025447474/

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