4 ms·

> While that's true, i think crimea and the associated warm water port (sevastopol) is of strategic value. Russia already had naval basing rights is Sevastopol

by zopa 4y ago

> While that's true, i think crimea and the associated warm water port (sevastopol) is of strategic value. Russia already had naval basing rights is Sevastopol, before the invasion of Crimea. I don’t think the strategic explanations hold up.

ilammy 4y ago
They had it on a lease from Ukraine until 2017. Renegotiation of the lease barely passed Ukraine's parliament back in 2010.
- riku_iki 4y ago
  they prolonged it for another 30 years I think thanks to pro-Russian president.
  - ilammy 4y ago
    Yes, and then 2014 happened and Russia withdrew from the agreement entirely, since they didn’t really need it anymore.
chii 4y ago
russia wants permanent, irrevocable access, not just rights granted by an uncontrollable gov't. The writing was on the wall at the time - ukraine was leaning towards the west. Not saying this was the only reason for the invasion, but it is a factor.