Russia’s Parliament Approves Use of Military Force in Ukraine: March 2, 2014
On March 2, 2014, the Federation Council of Russia, which is the upper house of the Russian Parliament, unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin’s request to use military force in Ukraine. This decision marked a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and set the stage for the subsequent annexation of Crimea.
Context and Background
Euromaidan Protests: The roots of the crisis can be traced back to late 2013, when widespread protests erupted in Ukraine, known as the Euromaidan movement. These protests were sparked by then-President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to suspend an association agreement with the European Union in favor of closer ties with Russia. The protests eventually led to Yanukovych fleeing Ukraine in February 2014.
Political Vacuum: Yanukovych’s departure created a political vacuum in Ukraine, leading to the establishment of a new interim government. This government was perceived by Russia as being pro-Western and illegitimate.
Crimea’s Strategic Importance: Crimea, a peninsula in the Black Sea, held significant strategic and military importance for Russia, particularly due to the presence of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. The region also had a majority ethnic Russian population, which Russia claimed to be protecting.
Key Events on March 2, 2014
Parliamentary Approval: The Federation Council’s approval was a formalization of military actions that had already begun. Russian troops, often described as “little green men” due to their unmarked uniforms, had started to appear in Crimea, seizing control of key infrastructure and military bases.
Justification: The Russian government justified the use of force by citing the need to protect ethnic Russians and Russian speakers in Ukraine, who they claimed were under threat from the new Ukrainian government.
Consequences and Aftermath
Annexation of Crimea: Following the parliamentary approval, Russia moved quickly to consolidate its control over Crimea. A controversial referendum was held on March 16, 2014, in which the majority of voters purportedly supported joining Russia. On March 18, 2014, Russia formally annexed Crimea, a move that was widely condemned by the international community.
International Response: The annexation led to a significant deterioration in Russia’s relations with Western countries. The United States and the European Union imposed economic sanctions on Russia, targeting key sectors of its economy.
Ongoing Conflict: The events of March 2014 set off a prolonged conflict in Eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists declared independence in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This conflict has continued to simmer, with periodic escalations and ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation.
Broader Historical Significance
The approval of military force by Russia’s parliament and the subsequent annexation of Crimea marked a turning point in post-Cold War European geopolitics. It challenged the territorial integrity of Ukraine and set a precedent for the use of military force to alter national borders in Europe, raising concerns about regional security and international law. The crisis has had lasting implications for Russia’s relations with the West and has reshaped the security landscape in Eastern Europe.