Crimea was supposedly ceded to Ukraine. But it would not be surprising if the Bear had actually wanted Ukraine to modernize it at the Ukraine’s expense, then pull a grab like right now.
All the vote did today was reverse Nikita Khruschev’s 60 year old “gift” of Crimea to Ukraine.
Its the final codicil to the disappearance of the USSR - and Russia resumes its sovereignty over the peninsula - with the expressed consent of its inhabitants.
Ukrainian nationalists should be happy Crimea is no longer a means by which Russia can make Ukraine’s life miserable. They should look at the Crimean reversion to Russian rule as a blessing in disguise.
When Crimea was transferred to Ukraine, both Russia and Ukraine were part of USSR.
So it was sort of like transferring the UP of Michigan to Wisconsin. Nobody at the time thought it was particularly important.
If they had, the transfer would probably never have taken place.
It should also be noted that the inhabitants did not freely decide to become Ukrainians. IOW, this reaccession to Russia has arguably more democratic and electoral legitimacy than the earlier transfer to Ukraine.
By Kruschev, who was Ukranian, and it still had autonomy and that Russian naval base.
Shouldn't we be more concerned that our troops and the billions in aid should be used defending our border with Mexico and kicking out and keeping out the invaders in the US?