Tussle over Crimea

There has been a war-like situation prevailing between the USA and Russia following the Crimea crisis. Crimea is under Ukraine. Ukraine has witnessed a huge protest to topple its president and finally the pro-Russian president had to resign. During the turbulent time, the Russian army took control over Crimea as per the request of the people of pro-Russian origin and to ensure security of Crimean people. Half of the population there is of Russian origin which wants to be part of Russia.

The USA and the EU countries did not take it easily and threatened the Russian government with economic sanction. Both the parties have hurled diatribes in the aftermath of the Russian intervention. In the meantime, pro-Russian parliament passed a referendum where the majority of the people wanted to be part of Russia.

After the referendum, Russia and Crimea signed a treaty of accession. However, the UN recently had passed a resolution on Crimea issue where it claimed the referendum of Crimea was invalid and illegal. Bangladesh, being a member of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), remained neutral during the passage of the resolution in the UN. Bangladesh has done the right thing by abstaining from voting in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Crimea issue as it has not deviated from its foreign policy.

Md Zonaed Emran

Treasury Department

Janata Bank Ltd

zonaed.emran@gmail.com