Law and Lawlessness: The Secession and Russia’s Absorption of Crimea

The vast majority of those in the international community have not recognised the secession of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and its subsequent annexation by Russia. This fact, however, does not seem to have had any impact on Moscow and its course of action. The West, however, should not accept this as fait accompli. Maintaining a persistent objection to Russia’s illegal actions is of major importance for Ukraine, but it is also crucial to ensuring the stability of international order and avoiding possible controversy regarding instances of secession in the future.