Blog 4: Armed Standoff in Crimea as Russia Assures U.S. on Ukraine

Alyse Schmidt
Dr. Stephen Sills
SOC 202
27 November 2014

Blog 4

This blog was about the "Armed Standoff in Crimea as Russia Assures US on Ukraine". Masked gunmen on Thursday, February 27, 2014, seized the government buildings in the capital Crimea a region of Ukraine. The gunmen barricaded themselves and waived the Russian flag, which raised the specter of a separatist rebellion that could tear any country apart. Viktor K. Yanukovych released the statement on Thursday that he remained lawful to the president of Ukraine and appealed to Russia for his own safety. His precise whereabouts are unknown. Russian news reporters stated that Mr. Yanukovych would hold a news conference at the city Rostov-on-Don which is southern Russia. The Secretary of State of Russia John Kerry stated on Thursday that Russia would respect Ukraine's territorial integrity. Mr. Kerry said that everyone has to step back and avoid any kinds of provocations from Ukraine. Local police sealed off all the government buildings in Crimea. Congress scheduled a presidential election on May 25. Crimea has been a town of conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine received Crimea after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Mr Yanukovych made a statement that warned Russian regions east and south of Ukraine including Crimea that they will not accept anarchy and outright lawlessness. Members of Mr. Yanukovych deserted him, and the Ukraine parliament impeached him. Again stating the new election is on May 25.


Analysis:
I have been following this topic for about 2 weeks now, this has only escalated now where a president has been impeached. The country is now fighting with its neighbor country which it used to be apart of in 1991 before the Soviet Union collapsed. My predictions is that Russia and Ukraine will begin to fight. This is now becoming more and more of a Global Issue, the crime rate is starting to increase and the Ukraine government is beginning to fall. They do not have a president until the 25 of May and that is a perfect opportunity for Russia to hit. They have been in tension since 1991, especially over Crimea. I believe this can possibly start and become a war, and therefore start more countries to start getting involved causing more of a Global Issue. If military isn't used, then Russia will begin more outbreaks such as the one today in Crimea and that will upset Ukraine causing a War, and spreading along. In class we discussed how when there is a lack of money and unemployment rates that crime increases, i posted the link below but looking at Ukraine's economy they are dependent on $15 million to Russia, this money and the lack of economic status Ukraine has can be another determining factor for the two countries.


http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/24/news/economy/ukraine-economy/

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/world/Europe/ukraine-tensions.html?ref=world