😄 I would submit that we really do not know what led up to the annexation of eastern Ukraine and the Crimea. It bothered me originally that such a confrontation should become necessary. Could a reasonable observer believe that Russia - who critically lacks convenient sea ports - would give up the Crimea without a fuss?
I thought to myself, a somewhat experienced negotiator, that perhaps Ukraine could have offered a lease arrangement to Yalta - say 100 rubles a year or some such. BUT, as I say, I am not an expert on the region nor the details that led up to Russia's aggression; I suspect much info is being 'held close'.
I do think that S0r0s and the 'West' are stumbling towards a nuclear confrontation with Russia - and I don't like that! My Senator answered me that Russia is a rotten country and a bully. I replied that Russia has always been a rotten country and a bully; we managed to avoid a nuclear war with them up to now.
“...perhaps Ukraine could have offered a lease arrangement to Yalta - say 100 rubles a year or some such.”
But, that’s just it: They DID have a lease agreement, signed in April, 2010. The Kharkiv Pact was a treaty between Ukraine and Russia for Russia to lease naval facilities in Crimea; it was extended to 2042, with provisions for renewal subject to some natural gas assurances.
However, with Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in March 2014, Russia unilaterally terminated the treaty later that month.