Sevastopol Naval Base
For Russia, Crimea is strategically important as several naval bases were established at Sevastopol, which is a coastal area in Crimea for providing warm water port and access to the Mediterranean.[1] However, Ukraine was trying to seek to renegotiate with Russia for entering the port, or even the Russia ships have to share the facilities with NATO vessels. Such action was unacceptable to Russia and therefore, it poses an emergency for Russia to annex Crimea for securing their own interest.
Mutual Economic Benefits
Tourism in Crimea is flourished due to the temperate climate, for both the Ukrainians and Russians.[2] In the past, it accounted for 3% of Ukraine’s gross domestic product and 6.6% of Ukraine’s total export. The land under the temperate climate is also intensively farmed. Therefore, it is beneficial for Russia to get Crimea due to the economic reason.
It is also economic beneficial for Crimea to be a part of Russia due to the reliable oil and gas support. In the past, there was several times Russia turned off Ukraine’s oil supply as a threat. Therefore, being part of Russia is beneficial for Crimea by removing such threats.
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[1] Graeme Gill, The Russian Annexation of Crimea in March 2014. (Sydney: University of Sydney)
[2] "Everything you need to know about Crimea." Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. 11 March, 2014. Accessed on 18th November, 2014. http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.577286
For Russia, Crimea is strategically important as several naval bases were established at Sevastopol, which is a coastal area in Crimea for providing warm water port and access to the Mediterranean.[1] However, Ukraine was trying to seek to renegotiate with Russia for entering the port, or even the Russia ships have to share the facilities with NATO vessels. Such action was unacceptable to Russia and therefore, it poses an emergency for Russia to annex Crimea for securing their own interest.
Mutual Economic Benefits
Tourism in Crimea is flourished due to the temperate climate, for both the Ukrainians and Russians.[2] In the past, it accounted for 3% of Ukraine’s gross domestic product and 6.6% of Ukraine’s total export. The land under the temperate climate is also intensively farmed. Therefore, it is beneficial for Russia to get Crimea due to the economic reason.
It is also economic beneficial for Crimea to be a part of Russia due to the reliable oil and gas support. In the past, there was several times Russia turned off Ukraine’s oil supply as a threat. Therefore, being part of Russia is beneficial for Crimea by removing such threats.
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[1] Graeme Gill, The Russian Annexation of Crimea in March 2014. (Sydney: University of Sydney)
[2] "Everything you need to know about Crimea." Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. 11 March, 2014. Accessed on 18th November, 2014. http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.577286