2023 Theses Master's

Incorporation of Crimea and Eastern regions into the Russian Federation: the realization of the right to self-determination or annexation?

Tetiana Kotelnykova

This thesis delves into the complex dynamics of separatism and the right to self-determination, with a specific focus on the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Donbas. The wars have underscored the contentious nature of separatist claims, often leading to conflicts with parent states. The international community grapples with defining the scope of self-determination and its connection to the right to secede, raising questions about the circumstances under which secession can be justified.

Additionally, aggressor states may manipulate the right to self-determination to legitimize annexation efforts. In this context, the annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Donbas are examined, where differing historical experiences, political cultures, and identities in Western and Eastern Ukraine play pivotal roles. The Russian government's perspective contends that these regions sought to join Russia in pursuit of the right to self-determination, citing the significant Russian-speaking population in Ukraine to justify their actions. The central objective of this thesis is to assess whether the incorporation of Crimea and the Eastern regions into the Russian Federation can be classified as an exercise of the right to self-determination.