29
votes
Russia seizes Ukrainian ships near annexed Crimea after firing on them
Link information
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- Title
- Russia and Ukraine involved in Black Sea naval standoff
- Authors
- Reuters Editorial
- Published
- Nov 25 2018
- Word count
- 235 words
This is a big deal.
Military Action against Ukraine—with casualties—outside of historical Russian territory is a major escalation.
Ukraine is a US-Ally, but I don't expect our administration to do anything but roll-over to Russia on this matter. I hope NATO responds more strongly to this than the 2014 Annexation of Crimea, an unchecked Russia in Eastern Europe is only asking for trouble.
I wonder what is Putin's agenda in doing this. In what world would taking over Ukraine possibly be beneficial to Russia? Is this an act of desperation from Putin?
I'm really interested in how NATO and the rest of the democratic world would respond to this move. Honestly if Russia is allowed to get away with this then it could be the end of "Golden age of Diplomacy" that we currently have. It seems more possible that large wars could start taking place in the future.
This is very unnerving.
Crimea is strategically important to Russia as the Black Sea region provides its only access to Western warm-water ports. The Kerch Strait is shared by Russia on the East side, and Ukraine (Crimea) on the West side. About half of Russia's ports in the region are behind the Strait in the Sea of Azov. From the Black Sea, Russia can transport cargo and conduct force projection throughout the Mediterranean without having to first launch from a Northern port, circumvent the Nordic Countries, and enter the Med from the Strait of Gibraltar.
Russian control of Crimea helps Putin to retain control of Kerch, and ensure his ships ability to enter the Black Sea. A couple of months ago, Ukraine had announced they would be expanding their Navy in the region. I suspect this move is a counter-play to maintain control of the Strait.
Historically, Russian Nationalists deny Ukraine as distinct from Russia. This attitude goes back to Imperial times, and through the life of the Soviet Union, with Ukraine being referred to as Малая Русь—Little Russia—and the denial of a Ukrainian National Consciousness or culture. This term is seen today as anachronistic and derogatory. Russian Nationalists and those pining for a reformed USSR, perhaps even Putin himself, wish to see Ukraine absorbed into Russian borders.