Why Crimea matters so much to Putin – and now Trump
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The important role Crimea plays in Russia’s Ukraine campaign
- Crimea's main strategic importance to Russia lies in its control of the Black Sea and access to warm-water ports.
- Russia's claim to Crimea, based on historical settlement and a Russian-speaking majority, ignores Ukraine's historical ties and the forced displacement of local populations.
- Trump's suggestion that Crimea should remain under Russian control disregards Ukraine's sovereignty and history.
- Russia's seizure of Crimea in 2014, facilitated by pre-existing naval presence, served as a crucial bridgehead for the full-scale invasion of 2022.
- Control of Crimea now provides Russia with a logistical hub, air defence base, and command centre for the whole Ukrainian campaign.