The Russian Perspective on the Crimean Case

Stefano Burzo, Political Science
Coach House, Green College, UBC
Monday, January 18, 8-9 pm

In 2014 Crimea was reunited/annexed to Russia. Some say the annexation was a major violation of international law, while others consider the reunification legitimized by a referendum. If we take the Russian legal claims on the matter seriously, what are the implications for international law? Moreover, such a controversial geopolitical change is almost out of the public discussion less than two years after the fact. Now Russia is de facto managing a territory the United Nations officially considers part of Ukraine. Do we care? This evening will be a chance to ask those questions you’d never ask a serious scholar of political science. Things like “where is Crimea?” or “where is Russia?” and “can we see it from Alaska?”