FROM KOSOVO TO CRIMEA. RUSSIA’S SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES ON THE RIGHT OF SELF DETERMINATION
FROM KOSOVO TO CRIMEA. RUSSIA’S SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES ON THE RIGHT OF SELF DETERMINATION

Summary/Abstract: In the spring of 2014, widespread protests broke out in major Ukrainian cities demanding closer ties with the European Union. Seeing its strategic interests in being threatened by its neighbour’s European ambitions, Russia invaded southeastern Ukraine to allegedly protect the Russian citizens living there and provide support for the apparent self determination sentiments of the region. Shortly thereafter, Crimea had a controversial referendum where the majority of the people have declared independence from Ukraine and expressed their desire to join Russia, which they did the very next day. To legitimize the annexation of Crimea, Russia declared that Crimeans had a right to secession and self determination and, since the population expressed their nationalist aspirations through a fair referendum, Russia had a moral and legal obligation to accept Crimea into the Federation. However, six years earlier when Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia, Russian officials have strongly opposed the very same arguments put forth at that time by the US. So, is there a right to secession and self determination under international law? Did Crimea have a right to secession and self determination? Why Russia did denied Kosovo the same rights it upheld for Crimea?

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