Упрощенная HTML-версия
Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Author : A. Moiseev
Head of the Department of International Law, Diplomatic Academy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Russian Federation, Doctor of Science (Law)
MARCH 18, 2014 saw the signing of an international agreement
between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Crimea on
admission of the Republic of Crimea to the RF and on creation
of new subjects within the Russian Federation.
The treaty decision rested on the outcome of a free and volun-
tary referendum held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea
and the city of Sevastopol on March 16, 2014. It showed that
the peoples of Crimea voted in favor of "the reunification of
Crimea with Russia as a part of the Russian Federation".
The Crimea referendum took place with the observance of
modern democratic and legal requirements, but in the context
of the illegal and criminal nature of the regime in power in Kiev.
Emphasis is due on the fact that the population of Crimea has realized the right to self-deter-
mination via having, under Chapter 10 of Ukraine's Constitution, an autonomous legal status,
juridically pertaining to the rights of peoples.
The Crimea referendum took place on March 16, 2014, with the observance of modern demo-
cratic and legal requirements, but in the context of the illegal and criminal nature of the regime
in power in Kiev, established after a coup amid the rampage of ultra-nationalists, extremists, and
the like.
Leaving aside the geopolitical interests and strategies of certain Western states, it is still aston-
ishing that they assumed the position of non-recognition of the self-evident results of the Crimea
referendum, which they allege was illegal and unconstitutional.
There is no need to once again dwell on the negative results of Yanukovich's activity as president,
but it is clear that peaceful Ukrainian citizens came out onto the Maidan not out of good life
and that lawlessness and poverty in Ukraine did not arise overnight, a situation that the extremists
took advantage of.
Maidan and its slogans do not create a legal basis either in relation to recognition of the legitimate
status of the new order, or in relation to their decisions and actions. Even armed clashes between
Maidan participants and law enforcement units cannot legally alter the situation.
The central question in the crisis of Ukraine, provoked by the anti-constitutional Kiev coup
through the armed seizure of power by extremists, involves the legitimacy of the government
itself. Those who have seized power in Ukraine by armed force have committed a criminal of-
fense, and their actions cannot have legal force for the Russian Federation.
Some International Legal Positions on the Ukrainian Question