Russia-Ukraine War: Why Putin Wants Zelenskyy Out Of Crimea, NATO? Explained | World News
Russian-Ukraine War: Days after having historical negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump asked the Ukrainian counterpart to leave some of the Crimea under Moscow’s control and leave the NATO offer to obtain a ceasefire. Trump said that in his social media business, Zelenskyy could immediately end the war with Russia or continue to fight if he wanted. The last word of the US president came after publishing a red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15th.
Trump forces Ukraine to accept an agreement to end the most deadly war of Europe in 80 years. Tens of thousands of people were killed in the three -year war, including soldiers, and millions of people were displaced. While emphasizing the reconciliation on both sides, the United States put the ball in the court of Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, the President of the Ukraine is expected to give up the rest of the Eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine.
According to reports, Russia is not willing to return 100% of the annexed Ukrainian land, but Zelenskyy may soften the cease -fire stance if the Crimea and NATO accepts the request for a proposal. Crimea has been under Russian control since 2014. If you think that Russia is not willing to Crimea, here is an explanatory:
Crimea: Strategic Peninsula
It may seem like a small peninsula on the Crimean map, but it has great strategic, military and cultural importance to both Russia and Ukraine.
1. Military and Strategic Position
He lives in the Black Sea, which is a critical passage between Crimea, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
Russia’s Black Sea fleet is located in Sevastopol, Crimea. This naval base provides Russia access to the remaining hot water ports that can be used throughout the year (unlike the freezing northern ports).
Russia from the Crimea can reflect the military power to the Mediterranean, the Middle East and even to the Atlantic.
2. Historical and Cultural Connection
The Crimea was part of Russia for centuries during the Russian Empire and the Soviet period.
In 1954, the Soviet government transferred Crimea from Russia to Ukraine (both of them were part of the USSR). Many Russians still saw the Crimea historically as “theirs ..
Putin usually uses this cultural narrative to justify annexing by claiming that it protects ethnic Russians.
3. Economic and geopolitical interests
The Black Sea region is rich in oil and gas reserves at the open sea. Control on Crimea provides more access to energy sources to Russia.
The Crimea also increases Russia’s control over transportation roads and energy pipelines.
Controlling the Crimea weakens Ukraine economically and militaryly.
4. Political Leverage
Having the Crimea gives Russia a strong leverage to Ukraine and NATO. It prevents Ukraine from being completely integrated with Western alliances such as NATO or EU, because the Crimea continues to be a controversial region.
5th Tourism and Local Economy (secondary but symbolic)
There were Crimean coastal towns and it was once a major tourist place in the Soviet period. Although not the main reason, it adds symbolic value and local popularity to Russia.
Ukraine’s NATO offer
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is working hard to enter NATO, claiming that Ukraine will secure Russia. However, Putin framed Ukraine’s potential NATO membership as a direct threat to Russian security. In November 2021, he warned that the use of long -range missiles or missile defense systems at the Russian borders of NATO in Ukraine would be a “red line for Moscow. Putin said that such distributions can target Moscow in a few minutes. The Russian President sees the expansion of NATO towards the east as an indicator of extremely aggressive and Western diploma, especially on the old Soviet territory, especially Ukraine.
