POSITIONS OF KEY GEOPOLITICAL ACTORS ON THE "CRIMEAN ISSUE"

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to consider the positions of key geopolitical actors - Russia, the USA, the EU, China, as well as Turkey and Ukraine - on the problem of the Crimean peninsula after the latter became part of the Russian Federation in 2014. The study is based on a geopolitical approach. The author proceeds from the fact that Crimea is a strategically important region for ensuring Russia's national security and a guarantee of stability in the Azov-Black Sea region and the adjacent segment of the Mediterranean region. The author shows that the level and nature of the involvement of each of the actors in the regional processes around Crimea varies, as well as the degree of direct or indirect participation in the geopolitical conflict on the issue of the peninsula and naval bases. Based on this, the position of each of the participants in geopolitical relations is formed. The results of the analysis of the actors’ positions and the world community as a whole on the “Crimean issue” demonstrated that the problem of Crimea is not adequately addressed by the situation that actually took place on the eve and during the process of the peninsula's entry into Russia, and the conditions and key factors, stimulating the population of Crimea speak out for returning to the Russian state, are not taken into account. The study confirmed the fundamental importance of Crimea and Sevastopol for Russia in the context of its vital interests and the need to ensure national security. The return of the Crimea, from the point of view of practical geopolitics, means the restoration of the sphere of geopolitical influence of Russia in the Azov-Black Sea region with access to the entire Mediterranean and, accordingly, the limitation of the spheres of influence of its geopolitical opponents.