By Ryan Downs

Senior Staff Writer

Tensions between European nations and the Russian Federation flared for the first time in almost twenty years a few months ago when the latter invaded Ukrainian land.

But with the recent complete takeover of Crimea, it is unclear what measures Russia will take next. What is currently known is the strategically and economically valuable area of the Crimean Peninsula is now almost totally under Russian control after the conquest of one of the final Ukrainian bases in the area in late March. The peninsula a cardinal area because of the various seaports, waterways and naval significance relevant to the region.

CSUSM’s professor of political science, Dr. Kent Bolton, who appears to run a blog on the subject, quotes a New York Times article which states “The takeover came as Russia seemed to try to assure the West that its incursion into Ukraine would not expand beyond Crimea. The Kremlin agreed to allow a team of international monitors to work elsewhere in Ukraine.” (New York Times 2014). However, the international community remains concerned as the Kremlin will not allow monitors inside Crimea, which the Kremlin has assured the world is its only target.

Dr. Bolton was contacted for comment, but as of yet has not responded. His blog, called Hydrablog and available in archive at hydrablog.csusm.edu, tracks the progress of various political events as read about in the “the New York Times, the Washington Post, and sundry other sources”.

“Comments are for my students in international politics, U.S. foreign policy and U.S. national-security policy.” states the blog.

The international community, however, remains unconvinced. A diplomatic talk between the U.S. (represented by Secretary of State John Kerry), Ukraine, Russia and the European Union was convened in Geneva; closing this past Thursday with surprising results. According to NPR, the talk resulted in what seems to be a peaceful accord, on the basis that “illegal arms groups” active in Ukraine surrender their arms and buildings and that protesters in Eastern Ukraine pushing to join Russia will be granted Amnesty by the Ukrainian government.

Putin’s remarks on the subject, however, do little to ease tension. According to the Washington Post, the Russian Prime Minister made remarks to the press that “raised fears that he was justifying a possible incursion into southeastern Ukraine, where the United States says 40,000 Russian troops are massed just across the border.” (Washington Post 2014). Indeed, some of Putin’s earlier statements on the subject seem to incur the belief that Ukrainian territory rightfully belongs to Russia, as it did prior to the fall of the Soviet Union.

Although a brief stay of peace seems to have been reached courtesy of the peace accords, it is anyone’s guess as to how long it will last. In the meantime, Crimea, one of the most critical pieces of land in the Ukrainian territory, belongs to Russia.