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{{short description|Autonomous region of Ukraine}}
{{short description|Autonomous region of Ukraine}}
{{about|the former autonomous region in Ukraine|the current autonomous republic as defined by Ukraine|Autonomous Republic of Crimea|the claimed Russian federal subject|Republic of Crimea}}
{{about|the former autonomous region in Ukraine|the current autonomous republic as defined by Ukraine|Autonomous Republic of Crimea|the claimed Russian federal subject|Republic of Crimea (Russia)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox former country
{{Infobox former country
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|deputy1 = [[Yuriy Meshkov]]
|deputy1 = [[Yuriy Meshkov]]
|year_deputy1 = 1994-1995
|year_deputy1 = 1994-1995
|image_map = Outline Map of Crimea in Russia (vector).svg
|image_map = Outline Map of Crimea in Russia (2014–2022).svg
|map_caption2 = {{map caption |countryprefix=the |location_color=light yellow |region=the [[Crimean Peninsula]]
|map_caption2 = {{map caption |countryprefix=the |location_color=light yellow |region=the [[Crimean Peninsula]]
|region_color=none}}
|region_color=none}}
|p1 = Crimean ASSR (1991-1992)
|p1 = Crimean ASSR (1991-1992)
|flag_p1 = Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.svg
|flag_p1 = Flag of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (1949–1991).svg
|s1 = Autonomous Republic of Crimea
|s1 = Autonomous Republic of Crimea
|flag_s1 = Flag of Crimea.svg
|flag_s1 = Flag of Crimea.svg
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}}
}}


The '''Republic of Crimea''' was the interim name of a polity on the [[Crimea|Crimean peninsula]] between the dissolution of the [[Crimean ASSR (1991-1992)|Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] in 1992 and the abolition of the [[1992 Crimean constitution|Crimean Constitution]] by the [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukrainian Parliament]] in 1995. This period was one of conflict with the Ukrainian government over the levels of autonomy that Crimea enjoyed in relation to Ukraine and links between the [[Ethnic Russians in Ukraine|ethnically Russian]] Crimea and the [[Russian Federation]].
The '''Republic of Crimea''' was the interim name of a polity on the [[Crimea|Crimean peninsula]] from the dissolution of the [[Crimean ASSR (1991-1992)|Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] in 1992 to the abolition of the [[1992 Crimean constitution|Crimean Constitution]] by the [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukrainian Parliament]] in 1995. This period was one of conflict with the Ukrainian government over the levels of autonomy that Crimea enjoyed in relation to Ukraine, and links between the [[Ethnic Russians in Ukraine|ethnically Russian]] Crimea and the [[Russian Federation]].



==Crimean ASSR==
==Crimean ASSR==
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{{main|Soviet-era Crimea|Crimean ASSR (1991–1992)}}
{{main|Soviet-era Crimea|Crimean ASSR (1991–1992)}}


Following Soviet victory in the [[Russian Civil War|Civil War]] and establishment of the new Soviet administrative units, Crimea was granted [[Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics|Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] status in 1921 as part of the Soviet [[korenizatsiia]] policy for [[Crimean Tatars]]. It was meant to grant a degree of autonomy for national minorities within much larger [[Soviet republics]].{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=609}} After World War II the Soviet government accused Crimean Tatars of alleged crimes during the war and [[Deportation of the Crimean Tatars|had them deported]] in 1945. Without national minority,{{clarify|date=June 2024}} Crimea was stripped of its autonomous republic status and became the Crimean [[oblast]] of the Russian SFSR.{{sfn|UNRA|2004}}
From the establishment of Soviet control over Crimea in 1921 until the [[Taurida Subdistrict|German occupation]] in September 1942, Crimea had a degree of autonomy{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=609}} as the Crimean Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic of the Russian SFSR. To punish the Crimean Tatars for their alleged crimes during the war, in 1945 the Republic's status was reduced to a Crimean [[oblast]] in the Russian SFSR with less autonomy.{{sfn|UNRA|2004}}{{efn|"The Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic is stripped of its autonomous status as a result of the alleged crimes of the Crimean Tatar people during World War II. It becomes merely an oblast of the Russian SFSR."}} The oblast was transferred to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1954.{{sfn|Kramer|2014}} In January 1991 the [[1991 Crimean sovereignty referendum|Crimean sovereignty referendum]] was held to increase Crimean autonomy within Ukraine by re-establishing the Crimean ASSR and approved by 94%.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=111-130}} of voters on a turnout above 80%.{{sfn|Kolstø|Edemsky|1995|p=190}} In September 1991 the Crimean Parliament declared the territory to be a sovereign constituent part of Ukraine.{{sfn|UNRA|2004}}

In February 1954 the Crimean oblast was transferred to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.{{sfn|Kramer|2014}} As part of Ukraine it retained its oblast status until January 1991, when the [[1991 Crimean sovereignty referendum|Crimean sovereignty referendum]] was held to increase Crimean autonomy within Ukraine by re-establishing the Crimean ASSR and approved by 94%{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=111-130}} of voters on a turnout above 80%.{{sfn|Kolstø|Edemsky|1995|p=190}} In September 1991 the Crimean Parliament declared the territory to be a sovereign constituent part of Ukraine.{{sfn|UNRA|2004}}


In August 1991, [[Yuriy Meshkov]] established the [[Republican Movement of Crimea]] which was registered on 19 November{{sfn|Zaborsky|1995|p=28}} to revive the republican status of the region and its sovereignty. With the help of the [[Black Sea Fleet]] administration, in February 1992 the movement initiated gathering of signatures for a referendum for Crimea in the new Soviet Union.{{sfn|Borysfen Intel|2013}}
In August 1991, [[Yuriy Meshkov]] established the [[Republican Movement of Crimea]], which was registered on 19 November,{{sfn|Zaborsky|1995|p=28}} to revive the republican status of the region and its sovereignty. With the help of the [[Black Sea Fleet]] administration, in February 1992 the movement initiated the gathering of signatures for a referendum for Crimea in the new Soviet Union.{{sfn|Borysfen Intel|2013}}


==Formation==
==Formation==


On 26 February 1992, the [[Verkhovna Rada of Crimea|Crimean parliament]]<!-- in 1992-1995 this name, it was a big conflict point about the name when --> changed the official name from the Crimean ASSR to ''the Republic of Crimea''. Then on 5 May, it proclaimed self-government{{sfn|Wolczuk|2004}}{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=111-130}}{{sfn|Routledge|2003|p=540}} and twice enacted a [[1992 Crimean constitution|constitution]] that the Ukrainian Parliament and goverernment deemed to be inconsistent with Ukraine's constitution.{{sfn|Kolstø|Edemsky|1995|p=194}} Finally in June 1992, the parties reached a compromise, Crimea would have considerable autonomy but remain part of Ukraine.{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=587}}
On 26 February 1992, the [[Verkhovna Rada of Crimea|Crimean parliament]]<!-- in 1992-1995 this name, it was a big conflict point about the name when --> changed the official name from "Crimean ASSR" to "Republic of Crimea". Then on 5 May, it proclaimed self-government{{sfn|Wolczuk|2004}}{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=111-130}}{{sfn|Routledge|2003|p=540}} and twice enacted [[1992 Crimean constitution|a constitution]] that the Ukrainian Parliament and government deemed to be inconsistent with Ukraine's constitution.{{sfn|Kolstø|Edemsky|1995|p=194}} In June 1992, the parties reached a compromise, that Crimea would have considerable autonomy but remain part of Ukraine.{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=587}}
<!--
<!--


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==Relations with Ukraine==
==Relations with Ukraine==


At first Crimean authorities attempted to claim that it was a sovereign Republic albeit with a relationship with Ukraine. On 5 May 1992, the Crimean legislature declared conditional independence,{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=609}}{{sfn|Schmemann|1992}} but a referendum to confirm the decision was never held amid opposition from [[government of Ukraine|Kyiv]].
At first Crimean authorities attempted to claim that it was a sovereign republic, albeit with a relationship with Ukraine. On 5 May 1992, the Crimean legislature declared conditional independence,{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=609}}{{sfn|Schmemann|1992}} but a referendum to confirm the decision was never held, amid opposition from [[government of Ukraine|Kyiv]].


On 17 December 1992, the office of the Ukrainian presidential representative in Crimea was created. In January 1993 the previous months' creation of the office of the Ukrainian presidential representative in Crimea caused a wave of protests. Among the protesters that created the unsanctioned rally were the Sevastopol branches of the [[National Salvation Front (Russia)|National Salvation Front]], the Russian Popular Assembly, and the All-Crimean Movement of ''the Voters for the Republic of Crimea''.{{sfn|Drohobycky|1993|p=xxxi}}
On 17 December 1992, the office of the Ukrainian presidential representative in Crimea was created. This led to a wave of protests. Among the protesters that created the unsanctioned rally were the [[Sevastopol]] branches of the [[National Salvation Front (Russia)|National Salvation Front]], the Russian Popular Assembly, and the All-Crimean Movement of ''the Voters for the Republic of Crimea''.{{sfn|Drohobycky|1993|p=xxxi}}


In February 1994 the Ukrainian Parliament issued an ultimatum to Crimea, which had just elected the pro-Russian Meshkov, giving it a month to harmonise its laws with Ukraine.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=118}} However Meshkov did try to institute a number of symbolic measures, such as harmonising the time with Russia rather than Ukraine.{{sfn|Umerov|2012|p=95}}
In February 1994 the Ukrainian Parliament issued an ultimatum to Crimea, which had just elected the pro-Russian Meshkov, giving it a month to harmonise its laws with Ukraine.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=118}} Meshkov, however, tried to institute a number of symbolic measures, such as harmonising the time with Russia rather than Ukraine.{{sfn|Umerov|2012|p=95}}


==Relations with Russia==
==Relations with Russia==


Russian politicians had from the time of Ukraine's independence questioned the [[1954 transfer of Crimea]], including prominent politicians such as mayor of Moscow [[Yury Luzhkov]]{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=599}} and [[Vladimir Zhirinovsky]].{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=115}} In October 1991 Russian Vice President [[Alexander Rutskoi]], on a visit to Kyiv, claimed Russian control and ownership of the [[Black Sea fleet]], based in [[Sevastopol]], and, indirectly, Russian sovereignty over the whole [[Crimean Peninsula]].{{sfn|Kozyrev|2016}} In April 1992 a similar resolution claiming Crimea was passed by the Russian Federation parliament.
Russian politicians had from the time of Ukraine's independence questioned the [[1954 transfer of Crimea]], including prominent politicians such as mayor of Moscow [[Yury Luzhkov]]{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=599}} and [[Vladimir Zhirinovsky]].{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=115}} In October 1991 Russian Vice President [[Alexander Rutskoi]], on a visit to Kyiv, claimed Russian control and ownership of the [[Black Sea fleet]], based in [[Sevastopol]], and, indirectly, Russian sovereignty over the whole [[Crimean Peninsula]].{{sfn|Kozyrev|2016}} In April 1992 a similar resolution claiming Crimea was passed by the Russian Federation parliament. The Crimean Parliament's [[Flag of Crimea|choice of flag]] in September 1992 was seen as mimicking the [[Russian tricolor]].{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=117}}


The status of Sevastopol, due to its strategic importance as the [[Sevastopol Naval Base|main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet]], remained disputed between Ukraine and Russia, with the rogue Russian Parliament staking a claim for Sevastopol in 1993.{{sfn|Chazan|1993}} On 11 December 1992, the [[President of Ukraine]] called the attempt of "the Russian deputies to charge the Russian parliament with a task to define the status of Sevastopol as an 'imperial disease'".{{sfn|Drohobycky|1993|p=xxxi}}
The Crimean Parliament's [[Flag of Crimea|choice of flag]] in September 1992 was seen as mimicking the [[Russian tricolor]].{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=117}}

The status of Sevastopol, due to its strategic importance as the [[Sevastopol Naval Base|main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet]], remained disputed between Ukraine and Russia, with the rogue Russian Parliament staking a claim for Sevastopol in 1993.{{sfn|Chazan|1993}} On 11 December 1992, the [[President of Ukraine]] called the attempt of "the Russian deputies to charge the Russian parliament with a task to define the status of Sevastopol as an 'imperial disease'".{{sfn|Drohobycky|1993|p=xxxi}}


In April 1993, during the [[1993 Russian constitutional crisis]], the Russian Parliament proposed to support a referendum on Crimean independence and include the republic as a separate entity in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], an offer that was later withdrawn.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=117}} After [[Boris Yeltsin]] won his struggle with the Russian Parliament the Russian stance towards Ukraine changed. Yeltsin refused to meet with the Crimean President, and Russian Prime Minister [[Viktor Chernomyrdin]] stated that Russia had no claim on Crimea.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=118}}
In April 1993, during the [[1993 Russian constitutional crisis]], the Russian Parliament proposed to support a referendum on Crimean independence and include the republic as a separate entity in the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], an offer that was later withdrawn.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=117}} After [[Boris Yeltsin]] won his struggle with the Russian Parliament the Russian stance towards Ukraine changed. Yeltsin refused to meet with the Crimean President, and Russian Prime Minister [[Viktor Chernomyrdin]] stated that Russia had no claim on Crimea.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=118}}
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==Dissolution==
==Dissolution==


On 30 January 1994, the pro-Russian [[Yuriy Meshkov]] was [[1994 Crimean presidential election|elected]] as [[President of Crimea]] on a pro Russian platform against the favoured candidate of the local establishment, [[Nikolai Bagrov]].{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=609}} Despite then winning a [[1994 Crimean referendum|referendum on further autonomy]]{{sfn|UNRA|1995}} Meshkov quickly ran into conflicts with parliament.{{sfn|Zaborsky|1995|p=28}} On 8 September, the Crimean parliament degraded the President's powers from the head of state to the head of the executive power only, to which Meshkov responded by disbanding parliament and announcing his control over Crimea four days later.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=118-119}}
On 30 January 1994, [[Yuriy Meshkov]] was [[1994 Crimean presidential election|elected]] as [[President of Crimea]] on a pro-Russian platform against the favoured candidate of the local establishment, [[Nikolai Bagrov]].{{sfn|Subtelny|2009|p=609}} Despite then winning a [[1994 Crimean referendum|referendum on further autonomy]],{{sfn|UNRA|1995}} Meshkov quickly ran into conflicts with parliament.{{sfn|Zaborsky|1995|p=28}} On 8 September, the Crimean parliament degraded the President's powers from the head of state to the head of the executive power only, to which Meshkov responded by disbanding parliament and announcing his control over Crimea four days later.{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=118-119}}


Ukraine decided to intervene. On 21 September 1994 the [[Ukrainian Parliament]] renamed the Republic of Crimea as the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea]],<ref>[http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/171/94-%D0%B2%D1%80?test=4/UMfPEGznhhiqH.Zi7Q.x50HI4jEs80msh8Ie6 Law of the Ukraine N 254/96-ВР]</ref> and a week later the new Ukrainian President named [[Anatoliy Franchuk]] as the [[Prime Minister of Crimea]].{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=119}} On 17 March 1995, the [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukrainian parliament]] abolished the Crimean Constitution of 1992, all the laws and decrees contradicting those enacted by Kyiv, removed [[Yuriy Meshkov]] as President of Crimea and abolished the office itself.{{sfn|Belitser|2000}}<ref>{{Cite Ukrainian law|type=[[Verkhovna Rada|Verkhovna Rada law]]|number=93/95-вр|law=92%2F95%2D%E2%F0|name=On the termination of the Constitution and some laws of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea|date=17 March 1995}}</ref> After this [[Ukrainian National Guard]] troops entered Meshkov's residence,{{sfn|New York Times|1995}} disarmed his bodyguards and put him on a plane to [[Moscow]].{{sfn|LB.ua|2020}}
Ukraine decided to intervene. On 21 September 1994 the [[Ukrainian Parliament]] renamed the Republic of Crimea as the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea]],<ref>[http://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/171/94-%D0%B2%D1%80?test=4/UMfPEGznhhiqH.Zi7Q.x50HI4jEs80msh8Ie6 Law of the Ukraine N 254/96-ВР]</ref> and a week later the new Ukrainian President named [[Anatoliy Franchuk]] as the [[Prime Minister of Crimea]].{{sfn|Wydra|2003|p=119}} On 17 March 1995, the [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukrainian parliament]] abolished the Crimean Constitution of 1992, all the laws and decrees contradicting those enacted by Kyiv, removed Meshkov as President of Crimea and abolished the office itself.{{sfn|Belitser|2000}}<ref>{{Cite Ukrainian law|type=[[Verkhovna Rada|Verkhovna Rada law]]|number=93/95-вр|law=92%2F95%2D%E2%F0|name=On the termination of the Constitution and some laws of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea|date=17 March 1995}}</ref> After this [[Ukrainian National Guard]] troops entered Meshkov's residence,{{sfn|New York Times|1995}} disarmed his bodyguards and put him on a plane to [[Moscow]].{{sfn|LB.ua|2020}}


On 31 March the [[Ukrainian President]] [[Leonid Kuchma]] issued a decree that subordinated the Crimean government to the Ukrainian Cabinet and that gave the Ukrainian President the power to appoint the [[Prime Minister of Crimea]].{{sfn|Drohobycky|1993|p=3}} Crimea's status of being subordinate to Kyiv was confirmed eventually by the remaining Crimean authorities.
On 31 March [[Ukrainian President]] [[Leonid Kuchma]] issued a decree that subordinated the Crimean government to the Ukrainian Cabinet and that gave the Ukrainian President the power to appoint the Prime Minister of Crimea.{{sfn|Drohobycky|1993|p=3}} Crimea's status of being subordinate to Kyiv was confirmed eventually by the remaining Crimean authorities.


From June until September 1995, Kuchma governed Crimea under a direct presidential administration decree.{{sfn|Routledge|2003|p=540}} Crimea (with the exception of the city of [[Sevastopol]]) was designated an Autonomous Republic in the [[Ukrainian Constitution of 1996]].<ref>[[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter X: Autonomous Republic of Crimea|Autonomous Republic of Crimea]], [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004]], Wikisource</ref> After an interim constitution, the 1998 [[Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea]] was ratified, changing the territory's name to the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea]].{{sfn|Council of Europe|1999|p=13}}
From June until September 1995, Kuchma governed Crimea under a direct presidential administration decree.{{sfn|Routledge|2003|p=540}} Crimea (with the exception of the city of Sevastopol) was designated an Autonomous Republic in the [[Ukrainian Constitution of 1996]].<ref>[[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004#Chapter X: Autonomous Republic of Crimea|Autonomous Republic of Crimea]], [[s:Constitution of Ukraine, 2004]], Wikisource</ref> After an interim constitution, the 1998 [[Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea]] was ratified, changing the territory's name to the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea]].{{sfn|Council of Europe|1999|p=13}}


==See also==
==See also==

*[[History of Crimea]]
*[[History of Crimea]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Political history of Crimea]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in Ukraine]]
[[Category:1995 disestablishments in Ukraine]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1995]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1992]]


==Sources==
==Sources==
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*{{cite book|title=Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia 2004| date=27 November 2003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NI1G_9j1AhcC&pg=PA540|access-date=10 July 2022|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=1857431871 |ref={{sfnref|Routledge|2003}} }}
*{{cite book|title=Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia 2004| date=27 November 2003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NI1G_9j1AhcC&pg=PA540|access-date=10 July 2022|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=1857431871 |ref={{sfnref|Routledge|2003}} }}
*{{cite news |last1=Kozyrev |first1=Andrei |title=Boris Yeltsin, the Soviet Union, the CIS, and Me |url=https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/_/boris-yeltsin-the-soviet-union-the-cis-and-me |publisher=The Wilson Quarterly/Wilson Center|date=Fall 2016}}
*{{cite news |last1=Kozyrev |first1=Andrei |title=Boris Yeltsin, the Soviet Union, the CIS, and Me |url=https://www.wilsonquarterly.com/quarterly/_/boris-yeltsin-the-soviet-union-the-cis-and-me |publisher=The Wilson Quarterly/Wilson Center|date=Fall 2016}}
*{{cite web|last=Kramer |first=Mark|title=Why Did Russia Give Away Crimea Sixty Years Ago? CWIHP e-Dossier No. 47.|publisher=Wilson Center, History and Public Policy Program, Cold War International History Project|date=19 Mar 2014|url= https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/why-did-russia-give-away-crimea-sixty-years-ago|format=html|accessdate=11 Jul 2022}}
*{{cite web|last=Kramer |first=Mark|title=Why Did Russia Give Away Crimea Sixty Years Ago? CWIHP e-Dossier No. 47.|publisher=Wilson Center, History and Public Policy Program, Cold War International History Project|date=19 Mar 2014|url= https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/why-did-russia-give-away-crimea-sixty-years-ago|access-date=11 Jul 2022}}
*{{cite web|last=Mizrokhi |first=Elena|title= Russian 'separatism' in Crimea and NATO: Ukraine's big hope, Russia's grand gamble|publisher=Laval University|date=August 2009|url=https://www.csi.hei.ulaval.ca/sites/csi.hei.ulaval.ca/files/crimee.pdf|accessdate=16 Jul 2022 |ref=none}}
*{{cite web|last=Mizrokhi |first=Elena|title= Russian 'separatism' in Crimea and NATO: Ukraine's big hope, Russia's grand gamble|publisher=Laval University|date=August 2009|url=https://www.csi.hei.ulaval.ca/sites/csi.hei.ulaval.ca/files/crimee.pdf|access-date=16 Jul 2022 |ref=none}}
*{{cite book|title=Russian-Ukrainian Relations: The Farewell That Wasn't.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c9HctwEACAAJ|last1=Moshes|first1=Arkady|last2=Nizhnikau|first2=Ryhor|publisher=[[Finnish Institute of International Affairs]]|year=2018|isbn=9789517695602}}
*{{cite book|title=Russian-Ukrainian Relations: The Farewell That Wasn't.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c9HctwEACAAJ|last1=Moshes|first1=Arkady|last2=Nizhnikau|first2=Ryhor|publisher=[[Finnish Institute of International Affairs]]|year=2018|isbn=9789517695602}}
*{{cite news|last=Schmemann|first=Serge|title=Crimea Parliament Votes to Back Independence From Ukraine.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/06/world/crimea-parliament-votes-to-back-independence-from-ukraine.html|work=[[New York Times]]|date=6 May 1992|access-date=10 July 2022}}
*{{cite news|last=Schmemann|first=Serge|title=Crimea Parliament Votes to Back Independence From Ukraine.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/06/world/crimea-parliament-votes-to-back-independence-from-ukraine.html|work=[[New York Times]]|date=6 May 1992|access-date=10 July 2022}}
*{{cite book|title=Ukraine: A History Fourth Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HNIs9O3EmtQC&pg=PA78|last=Subtelny|first=Orest|author-link=Orest Subtelny|publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8020-8390-6}}
*{{cite book|title=Ukraine: A History Fourth Edition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HNIs9O3EmtQC&pg=PA78|last=Subtelny|first=Orest|author-link=Orest Subtelny|publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8020-8390-6}}
*{{cite web|last=Umerov |first=Eldar|title=The Crimean Autonomous Region and Ukraine's Relations with Russia in the Post-Soviet Era|publisher=Middle East Technical University|date=December 2012|url =https://open.metu.edu.tr/bitstream/handle/11511/22499/index.pdf|accessdate=18 September 2022}}
*{{cite web|last=Umerov |first=Eldar|title=The Crimean Autonomous Region and Ukraine's Relations with Russia in the Post-Soviet Era|publisher=Middle East Technical University|date=December 2012|url =https://open.metu.edu.tr/bitstream/handle/11511/22499/index.pdf|access-date=18 September 2022}}
*{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/mono/10.4324/9780203045770-11/catching-europe-constitutional-debates-territorial-administrative-model-independent-ukraine-judy-batt-kataryna-wolczuk?context=ubx&refId=5a3bc188-19af-4a5b-9c54-6a20d191c661|chapter=Catching up with 'Europe'? Constitutional Debates on the Territorial-Administrative Model in Independent Ukraine|access-date=16 December 2006|last=Wolczuk|first=Kataryna|title=Region, State and Identity in Central and Eastern Europe |date=31 August 2004|pages=74–97 |doi=10.4324/9780203045770-11 |isbn=9780203045770 }}
*{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/mono/10.4324/9780203045770-11/catching-europe-constitutional-debates-territorial-administrative-model-independent-ukraine-judy-batt-kataryna-wolczuk?context=ubx&refId=5a3bc188-19af-4a5b-9c54-6a20d191c661|chapter=Catching up with 'Europe'? Constitutional Debates on the Territorial-Administrative Model in Independent Ukraine|access-date=16 December 2006|last=Wolczuk|first=Kataryna|title=Region, State and Identity in Central and Eastern Europe |date=31 August 2004|pages=74–97 |doi=10.4324/9780203045770-11 |doi-broken-date=5 June 2024 |isbn=9780203045770 }}
*{{cite journal|last=Wydra|first=Doris|date=2003|title=The Crimea Conundrum: The Tug of War Between Russia and Ukraine on the Questions of Autonomy and Self-Determination |journal=International Journal on Minority and Group Rights |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=111–130 |doi=10.1163/157181104322784826 |jstor=24675066 }}
*{{cite journal|last=Wydra|first=Doris|date=2003|title=The Crimea Conundrum: The Tug of War Between Russia and Ukraine on the Questions of Autonomy and Self-Determination |journal=International Journal on Minority and Group Rights |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=111–130 |doi=10.1163/157181104322784826 |jstor=24675066 }}
*{{cite web|last=Zaborsky |first=Victor|title=Crimea and the Black Sea Fleet in Russian-Ukrainian Relations, CSIA Discussion Paper 95-11.|publisher=Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University|date=September 1995|url =https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/disc_paper_95_11.pdf|accessdate=5 Jul 2022}}
*{{cite web|last=Zaborsky |first=Victor|title=Crimea and the Black Sea Fleet in Russian-Ukrainian Relations, CSIA Discussion Paper 95-11.|publisher=Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University|date=September 1995|url =https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/disc_paper_95_11.pdf|access-date=5 Jul 2022}}
*{{cite news|title=Why Crimea is so dangerous.|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26367786|publisher=[[BBC News]]|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=11 March 2014|access-date=10 July 2022 |ref={{sfnref|BBC News|2014}} }}
*{{cite news|title=Why Crimea is so dangerous.|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26367786|publisher=[[BBC News]]|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=11 March 2014|access-date=10 July 2022 |ref={{sfnref|BBC News|2014}} }}
*{{cite book|title=Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Documents 1999: Ordinary Session (First part, January 1999)| date=16 December 1999 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VYKdy5zxu5EC&pg=PA13|access-date=10 July 2022|volume=I|publisher=Council of Europe Publishing|isbn=978-92-871-3957-3 |ref={{sfnref|Council of Europe|1999}} }}
*{{cite book|title=Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Documents 1999: Ordinary Session (First part, January 1999)| date=16 December 1999 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VYKdy5zxu5EC&pg=PA13|access-date=10 July 2022|volume=I|publisher=Council of Europe Publishing|isbn=978-92-871-3957-3 |ref={{sfnref|Council of Europe|1999}} }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Republic of Crimea (1992-1995)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Republic of Crimea (1992-1995)}}
[[Category:Anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Political history of Crimea]]
[[Category:Russian-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in Ukraine]]
[[Category:1995 disestablishments in Ukraine]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in 1995]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1992]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Russian is an official language]]
[[Category:Separatism in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Separatism in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Russification]]
[[Category:Russification]]
[[Category:Republic of Crimea]]

Revision as of 05:09, 8 June 2024

Republic of Crimea
Республика Крым
Республіка Крим
Къырым Джумхуриети
1992–1995
Coat of arms of Republic of Crimea
Coat of arms
Location of Republic of Crimea
CapitalSimferopol
Common languagesOfficial:
Russian, Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar
GovernmentParliamentary republic
Chairman 
• 1992-1994
Nikolai Bagrov
President 
• 1994-1995
Yuriy Meshkov
LegislatureSupreme Council
History 
• Established
26 February 1992
• Disestablished
17 March 1995
CurrencyRouble, karbovanets
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Crimean ASSR (1991-1992)
Autonomous Republic of Crimea

The Republic of Crimea was the interim name of a polity on the Crimean peninsula from the dissolution of the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1992 to the abolition of the Crimean Constitution by the Ukrainian Parliament in 1995. This period was one of conflict with the Ukrainian government over the levels of autonomy that Crimea enjoyed in relation to Ukraine, and links between the ethnically Russian Crimea and the Russian Federation.

Crimean ASSR

Following Soviet victory in the Civil War and establishment of the new Soviet administrative units, Crimea was granted Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic status in 1921 as part of the Soviet korenizatsiia policy for Crimean Tatars. It was meant to grant a degree of autonomy for national minorities within much larger Soviet republics.[1] After World War II the Soviet government accused Crimean Tatars of alleged crimes during the war and had them deported in 1945. Without national minority,[clarification needed] Crimea was stripped of its autonomous republic status and became the Crimean oblast of the Russian SFSR.[2]

In February 1954 the Crimean oblast was transferred to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.[3] As part of Ukraine it retained its oblast status until January 1991, when the Crimean sovereignty referendum was held to increase Crimean autonomy within Ukraine by re-establishing the Crimean ASSR and approved by 94%[4] of voters on a turnout above 80%.[5] In September 1991 the Crimean Parliament declared the territory to be a sovereign constituent part of Ukraine.[2]

In August 1991, Yuriy Meshkov established the Republican Movement of Crimea, which was registered on 19 November,[6] to revive the republican status of the region and its sovereignty. With the help of the Black Sea Fleet administration, in February 1992 the movement initiated the gathering of signatures for a referendum for Crimea in the new Soviet Union.[7]

Formation

On 26 February 1992, the Crimean parliament changed the official name from "Crimean ASSR" to "Republic of Crimea". Then on 5 May, it proclaimed self-government[8][4][9] and twice enacted a constitution that the Ukrainian Parliament and government deemed to be inconsistent with Ukraine's constitution.[10] In June 1992, the parties reached a compromise, that Crimea would have considerable autonomy but remain part of Ukraine.[11]

Relations with Ukraine

At first Crimean authorities attempted to claim that it was a sovereign republic, albeit with a relationship with Ukraine. On 5 May 1992, the Crimean legislature declared conditional independence,[1][12] but a referendum to confirm the decision was never held, amid opposition from Kyiv.

On 17 December 1992, the office of the Ukrainian presidential representative in Crimea was created. This led to a wave of protests. Among the protesters that created the unsanctioned rally were the Sevastopol branches of the National Salvation Front, the Russian Popular Assembly, and the All-Crimean Movement of the Voters for the Republic of Crimea.[13]

In February 1994 the Ukrainian Parliament issued an ultimatum to Crimea, which had just elected the pro-Russian Meshkov, giving it a month to harmonise its laws with Ukraine.[14] Meshkov, however, tried to institute a number of symbolic measures, such as harmonising the time with Russia rather than Ukraine.[15]

Relations with Russia

Russian politicians had from the time of Ukraine's independence questioned the 1954 transfer of Crimea, including prominent politicians such as mayor of Moscow Yury Luzhkov[16] and Vladimir Zhirinovsky.[17] In October 1991 Russian Vice President Alexander Rutskoi, on a visit to Kyiv, claimed Russian control and ownership of the Black Sea fleet, based in Sevastopol, and, indirectly, Russian sovereignty over the whole Crimean Peninsula.[18] In April 1992 a similar resolution claiming Crimea was passed by the Russian Federation parliament. The Crimean Parliament's choice of flag in September 1992 was seen as mimicking the Russian tricolor.[19]

The status of Sevastopol, due to its strategic importance as the main base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, remained disputed between Ukraine and Russia, with the rogue Russian Parliament staking a claim for Sevastopol in 1993.[20] On 11 December 1992, the President of Ukraine called the attempt of "the Russian deputies to charge the Russian parliament with a task to define the status of Sevastopol as an 'imperial disease'".[13]

In April 1993, during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis, the Russian Parliament proposed to support a referendum on Crimean independence and include the republic as a separate entity in the Commonwealth of Independent States, an offer that was later withdrawn.[19] After Boris Yeltsin won his struggle with the Russian Parliament the Russian stance towards Ukraine changed. Yeltsin refused to meet with the Crimean President, and Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin stated that Russia had no claim on Crimea.[14]

In 1994, the legal status of Crimea as part of Ukraine was backed up by Russia, who pledged to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine in a memorandum signed in 1994, also signed by the US and UK.[21][22]

Dissolution

On 30 January 1994, Yuriy Meshkov was elected as President of Crimea on a pro-Russian platform against the favoured candidate of the local establishment, Nikolai Bagrov.[1] Despite then winning a referendum on further autonomy,[23] Meshkov quickly ran into conflicts with parliament.[6] On 8 September, the Crimean parliament degraded the President's powers from the head of state to the head of the executive power only, to which Meshkov responded by disbanding parliament and announcing his control over Crimea four days later.[24]

Ukraine decided to intervene. On 21 September 1994 the Ukrainian Parliament renamed the Republic of Crimea as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea,[25] and a week later the new Ukrainian President named Anatoliy Franchuk as the Prime Minister of Crimea.[26] On 17 March 1995, the Ukrainian parliament abolished the Crimean Constitution of 1992, all the laws and decrees contradicting those enacted by Kyiv, removed Meshkov as President of Crimea and abolished the office itself.[27][28] After this Ukrainian National Guard troops entered Meshkov's residence,[29] disarmed his bodyguards and put him on a plane to Moscow.[30]

On 31 March Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma issued a decree that subordinated the Crimean government to the Ukrainian Cabinet and that gave the Ukrainian President the power to appoint the Prime Minister of Crimea.[31] Crimea's status of being subordinate to Kyiv was confirmed eventually by the remaining Crimean authorities.

From June until September 1995, Kuchma governed Crimea under a direct presidential administration decree.[9] Crimea (with the exception of the city of Sevastopol) was designated an Autonomous Republic in the Ukrainian Constitution of 1996.[32] After an interim constitution, the 1998 Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea was ratified, changing the territory's name to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.[33]

See also

References

Sources

44°57′7.62″N 34°6′8.64″E / 44.9521167°N 34.1024000°E / 44.9521167; 34.1024000