Abstract
On 11 March 2014 Crimea declared independence. Ukraine and international society has
not recognised that act. However Crimea’s independence was recognised by Russia and on
18 March 2014 an agreement on the accession of the Republic of Crimea to the Russian
Federation was signed. Many countries and international organisations have condemned that
step, viewing it as illegal annexation. Regardless of how this situation is treated however, it is
at present a fait accompli. Such a situation evokes legal consequences both in the internal law
of Ukraine and Russia as well as on the plane of international law. The residents of Crimea
appear to be in the worst situation. Legal certainty is a fiction for them now. There are also
problems on the international plane. Despite the fact that in the opinion of international
society Crimea remains an integral part of Ukraine, in practice there are many conflicting
problems of a legal nature that cannot be solved, at least for the time being.
This article analyses the legality and certain legal consequences of the “accession” of Crimea to
Russia and the effect of this accession on the legal situation for residents of Crimea. The article
concludes that legal situation of Crimeans will not improve anytime soon, and that the legal
problems which have arisen on the international plane will not be resolved soon either.
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