Ukraine and Russia
Russian and Ukrainian armed forces have been on their toes following the recent rise in tensions, now all-out war between the two former Soviet republics seems a reality more than ever.
Recently, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced that the National Security and Defense Council had approved a strategy that involves “retaking” and “reintegrating” Crimea back into the country. He further stated that the Zelensky administration seeks to restore “full Ukrainian sovereignty” over not just Crimea but Sevastopol as well, which home to the Russian Navy’s Black Sea fleet.
Ukrainian Presidents Response
Ukrainian President too took to Twitter and announced the creation of a Crimean Platform Initiative. He wrote explaining about the platform “a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, step up international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupying power and to achieve the de-occupation of Crimea and its return to Ukraine.”
On 20th March, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree which prohibits foreigners from owning land in Crimea. The decree was declared null and void by Ukraine which said that “Russia was once again ignoring fundamental legal norms and principles, and said that Kyiv would restore the rights that had been violated once it re-established its sovereignty in the region.
This all comes as two US Navy warships, USS Thomas Hudner, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, and USS Monterey, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser entered the Black sea days apart. The Russian Black Sea fleet confirmed that it would be monitoring the warships.
Developments taking place over the next few weeks will be particularly interesting to note as Russian backed rebels deployed tanks near the demarcation line in Eastern Ukraine while Ukraine too seems to take steps to harden its coastline against a Russian attack.
Mehnoor Singh – freelance journalist covering conflict in Russia, CIS and Middle East. You can follow him on Twitter @mehnoorsingh_
