Should Russia retake the Crimea from the Ukraine?

Question

After all, the majority of the inhabitants are ethnic Russians who would welcome becoming a republic within the Russian Federation.

And Russia wouldn't have to ask Ukraine to renew the lease for the naval port of Sevastapol when it expires in 2017.

Answer 1

In 1991 the citizens of Crimea voted in favor of UKRAINIAN independence (with 54.19% of the vote).  It's been part of Ukraine since 1954 and it will remain Ukrainian.

Answer 2

> After all, the majority of the inhabitants are ethnic Russians who would welcome becoming a republic within the Russian Federation.

There are about 58% of ethnic Russians in Crimea. What about other 800 thousand people? Especially about tartars, who were once expelled from Crimea by Russians?

> And Russia wouldn't have to ask Ukraine to renew the lease for the naval port of Sevastapol when it expires in 2017.

Ukraine was so kind that allowed Russia to keep it's navy in Sevastopol for some time, because Russians did not have their own naval base in the Black sea, that was capable to hold a fleet. Russians broke the agreement terms a lot of times and now they think how to stay there forever? d**n, Russia really know how to make their neibours hate Russians!

Answer 3

Well it is Russian, it just so happened that it was signed off to Ukraine when ther was still Soviet Union, considering the fact that most of the people there are Russians.

I think eventually they'll want to be officially part of Russia again.

Answer 4

well what Russia did To Georgia and its territory, no wonder its gonna ask Crimea from Ukrain.. thats the world is afraid of, today its all about Georgia, tomorrow Ukrain and the day after tommorow it can be anobody else but not whats already in his on territory, like Chechnia , Ingushet etc,,,

Answer 5

The status of Crimea is legally defined by the 1991 separation treaty between Russia and Ukraine. That same treaty also leases the Black Sea naval bases to the Russian Fleet. The treaty is non-severable -- meaning that if Ukraine breaks a part of the treaty, then all other related agreements will become invalid. So as long as the current Ukrainian rulers don't make any desperate moves, the status of Crimea is virtually guaranteed to remain unchanged.

By the way, the 1954 Khruschev's ukase regarding Crimea was strictly an internal USSR administrative redistricting (within "eternal indivisible union").  It's certainly important historically, but has no current legal significance.

Answer 6

Yes.

Answer 7

YES! Ukraine and other illegal ran away from USSR by law of 1990 all autonomy's was must to have referendum,Crimea had and declored independence,but Ukraine very fast made it illegal by their new laws,in Georgia too in South Osetia and Abkhazia had been referendum,but who like to be in law rules? No one,Sevastopol by law is Moscow govt land,Crimea now Ukraine,but with nazist regime of Yuschenko it could be revolt or civil war,good that this freak is gonna on pension and next president would be more better for Russia and russians in Ukraine even with Timoshenko...

Answer 8

Using this line of logic, if mostly ethnic Mexicans live in Los Angeles California, then Mexico should retake that city?

Since mostly ethnic Italians live in Clinton Indiana..  Italy should claim that small Indiana town as a part of Italy.

Perhaps Fidel should claim Miami as an expansion of Cuba?

Russia ceded the Crimea to Urkaine in 1991.  

What if Russia decided, "Oops we made a mistake, we want Alaska back."  I suppose that too would be okay with you? Even though Russia agreed to sell Alaska to the US in March 1867 with monies approved by Congress in June of that same year for $7.2 million.  There might still be some ethnic Russians living there after all.

Answer 9

ummmm, NO!

its Ukrainian territory and should stay this way. Russia should follow civil and legal procedures  

Answer 10

haha, I'd like to see them also go after Alaska. After all it was only leased to the US for 100 years but never given back.

Crim is part of the Ukraine and should remain this way. Its tourism business is booming and growing and the revenues can significantly contribute to the growing economy, no wonder Russia wants it. But tough luck, Russia is big enough and should stop pawing everyone else's teritory