The question of the ownership of the "Crimean Peninsula" in the deterioration of Russian-Ukrainian relations # Russia recognizes the independence of the two eastern provinces of Ukraine #
When Russia was forced to sign the Treaty of Paris in 1856, it meant that he accepted the outcome of the defeat in the Crimean War.
The war destroyed not only Russia's army, but also russia's economy.
Under Western coercion, Russia was forced to dismantle the naval base in Sevastopol.
The West's aim in doing so is to eliminate Russia's military threat in the Black Sea.
This is why Russia forcibly regained sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula in spite of Western sanctions, because its strategic position is too important.
So a dozen years later, during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, Russia again began to rebuild Sevastopol.
Throughout history, we will find that Russia has always had a special affection for the Crimean Peninsula.
After the German bombardment of the Crimean Peninsula during World War II, much of Sevastopol was reduced to rubble. But Stalin immediately declared the port a "heroic city" and ordered it restored to its former glory.
In fact, since Tsar Catherine the Great of Russia took the Crimean Peninsula back from the Ottoman Empire in 1783, the Crimean Peninsula has been particularly important to Russia.
This strategically located peninsula, after officially belonging to Russia, not only provided Russia with military influence in the Black Sea, but also expanded its influence to the Mediterranean region.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia signed a treaty with Ukraine that allowed the Black Sea Fleet to remain in Sevastopol, and the lease was extended until 2042.
But as relations between Russia and Ukraine deteriorated, Russia seized control of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine for its own security interests.
It can be said that the Crimean issue is a key node in the deterioration of Russian-Ukrainian relations, and it can also be seen as a fate of Ukraine.
