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The political status of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol is the subject of a political and territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia. In one hand, Ukraine and the majority of the international community consider both Crimea and Sevastopol as administrative divisions of Ukraine, while Russia, on the other hand, considers both to be under a Russian federal district. The dispute came into be after the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol merged together as a single united nation and then unilaterally declared their independence from Ukraine. This nation then acceded to Russia, where it became the aforementioned federal district, while the Autonomous Republic became the Republic of Crimea as a Russian federal subject and Sevastopol became a Russian federal city. However, Ukraine and the majority of the international community do not consider the merge, the independence, nor the accession as legitimate and still consider both entities as divisions of Ukraine.

Background

Following the 2014 Crimean crisis, the newly formed Supreme Council of Crimea declared Crimea's independence from Ukraine on 11 March 2014. While 97% percent of voters voted to leave Ukraine, and the new government of Crimea officially declared independence, the referendum was widely condemned in the Western world as illegitimate, primarily because the referendum included an option to join Russia while the region was under military occupation by Russia itself. The European Union, United States, Canada and several other nations condemned the decision to hold a referendum. In addition, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People—the unofficial political association of the Crimean Tatars—called for a boycott of the referendum.

The Republic of Crimea was only recognized by Russian Federation and was seeking UN recognition. The ultimate goal of Crimea's secession was to have Crimea eventually join Russia as a federal subject. The European Union and others have condemned the referendum. The United Nations Security Council failed to adopt a resolution declaring the referendum invalid, as Russia exercised its right to veto as a permanent member of the council, however, the member states of NATO have stated that they will not recognize the referendum.

On 18 March 2014, Russia and Crimea have signed treaty of accession of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol in the Russian Federation following President Putin’s address to the Parliament. During the transition period which will last until 1 January 2015, both sides will resolve the issues of integration of the new subjects “in the economic, financial, credit and legal system of the Russian Federation.”

On March 27, 2014, the UN General Assembly declared the referendum invalid and reaffirmed Ukraine’s territorial integrity, by a vote of 100 to 11, with 58 abstentions and 24 absent.

Stances

Ukraine

The recently installed government of Ukraine, along with most sovereign states in the world, did not recognize the Republic of Crimea's claim to sovereignty, nor the unification of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea with Sevastopol, nor the referendum that paved the way for Crimean secession.

Russia

Claims of Russia are based on its recognition of the short-lived Republic of Crimea with which Russia concluded the abovementioned treaty of accession according to its right to self-determination.

The Constitutional Court of Russia approved the accession of Crimea.

International community

Six members of the United Nations have recognized the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol to be part of Russia:

See also

• International reactions to the 2014 Crimean crisis

References

1. "Mejlis to boycott Crimean referendum&". Ukrinform.ua. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
2. "Tatar leader: referendum's results 'predetermined'". DW.DE. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
3. Крым обращается к ООН и всем государствам мира с просьбой о признании. Echo.msk.ru (17 March 2014). Retrieved on 23 March 2014.
4. Security Council Fails to Adopt Text Urging Member States Not to Recognize Planned 16 March Referendum in Ukraine’s Crimea Region. Un.org. 15 March 2014.
5. "NATO Allies won't recognize Crimea's annexation to Russia". Kyiv Post. 19 March 2014.
6. "Treaty to accept Crimea, Sevastopol to Russian Federation signed". Russia Today. 18 March 2014.
7. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47443&Cr=Ukraine&Cr1=
8. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/27/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA2Q1GA20140327
9. Russian Federation Council ratifies treaty on Crimea’s entry to Russia. itar-tass.com. 21 March 2014
10. Rosenberg, Matthew (23 March 2014) Breaking With the West, Afghan Leader Supports Russia’s Annexation of Crimea. New York Times
11. Belarusian president: Crimea is de-facto part of Russia. rt.com. 23 March 2014
12. Lukashenko: Crimea is part of Russia now. itar-tass.com. 23 March 2014
13. "Nicaragua recognizes Crimea as part of Russia". Kyiv Post. 27 March 2014.

• Recently revised from March 2014
• Diplomatic recognition
• 2014 Crimean crisis
• Politics of Crimea
• Secession in Ukraine