That’s what the Russians said about the Port of Sevastopol — that it was never really part of the Ukrainian SSR and therefore wouldn’t be part of independent Ukraine.
That assertion went against the law of nations however and they admitted to its being Ukrainian in 1997 (entering into a leaseback arrangement as part of the resolution.)
Of course, that scumbag Putin reneged on all of that.
I believe, just for clarification, that the bases in Sevastopol were contracted, very similarly to how our base at Gitmo is leased.
I am NOT suggesting Russia takeover of Crimea was legit. But I believe their base is legit.