The Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Before, behind and beyond the Conflict

Abstract

In 2014 a violent conflict inflamed Crimea, an autonomous republic within Ukraine, resulting in the destabilization ofregional security. The clash between the government of Kiev and the insurgents led to the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation. This paper traces origins and causes of the conflict and tackles the issue of the right to self-determination and independence, then the question of the recognition of a new state entity, and finally the dissolution by incorporation into another state. Through a comparative analysis of some precedents, this article aims to investigate whether the annexation may be regarded as legal or not under international positive and customary law, what are the remedies available, and the likely outcome of the dispute, ending with some recommendations aimed at a settlement of the crisis. ; Paper presented on 13 July 2021 in panel RC17.15 'Foreign Policy and International Relations: Examining the Case Studies' within session RC17 'Comparative Public Opinion' at the 26th International Political Science Association World Congress (IPSA WC2021), held virtually on 10-15 July 2021. The participation in the WC2021 was funded by the Research Centre of the Institute for Political Studies of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (CIEP-UCP).The author gratefully acknowledges the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal, for supporting this work through grant SFRH/BD/136170/2018.