Russia, eastern Ukraine, and the morality of secession

2014/8/30 14:46:31

Somin: “…the Russian invasion violates a 1994 international agreement guaranteeing Ukraine’s borders, which was signed by Russia, as well as the US and Britain. At that time, Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear weapons stockpile in exchange for the security guarantees – a decision some Ukrainians regret today.”

 


By Ilya Somin* in the Washington Post, August 29

 

It is increasingly clear that Russia has invaded eastern Ukraine for the purpose of supporting pro-Russian secessionist movements who seek to establish a new state possibly called “Novorossiya” (literally “New Russia”) that is likely to try join with Russia in the future. The moral and legal issues raised by this invasion and secession movement are much the same as those arising from Russia’s earlier occupation and annexation of Crimea. Both actions are illegal under international law, and also blatantly immoral and unjust. If it forbids anything, international law clearly bans the invasion and annexation of other countries’ territory. In addition, the Russian invasion violates a 1994 international agreement guaranteeing Ukraine’s borders, which was signed by Russia, as well as the US and Britain. At that time, Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear weapons stockpile in exchange for the security guarantees – a decision some Ukrainians regret today.

 

For complete text, link below:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/vo ... he-morality-of-secession/

 

 

* Ilya Somin is Professor of Law at George Mason University. His research focuses on constitutional law, property law, and popular political participation. He is the author of "The Grasping Hand: Kelo v. City of New London and the Limits of Eminent Domain" (forthcoming) and "Democracy and Political Ignorance: Why Smaller Government is Smarter." Born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1973, Somin has been a United States citizen since 1986.

Printer Friendly Page Send this Story to a Friend Create a PDF from the article