By Nickie Louise
While Americans are preoccupied with coronavirus pandemic and internal infighting along identity lines, Russian forces are moving near Ukraine’s borders in what could lead to World War 3. The military tension between the two countries escalates in recent months as Ukraine attempts to retake back Crimea from Russia.
It all started in February 2014, following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution that ousted former Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych, Russia annexed Crimea after military intervention by pro-Russian separatists and the Russian Armed Forces.
Then on March 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a declaration of war against Russia in a document you won’t find in the mainstream media. According to the document posted on the Ukrainian government website, which is translated into English, the new decree establishes the “de-occupation and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.”
The story of Crimea goes way back to over two centuries ago. According to a piece at President Woodrow Wilson Center, “in 1783, Crimea was annexed by the Russian Empire as the result of the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774). Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, Crimea became an autonomous republic within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in the USSR. During World War II, Crimea was downgraded to the Crimean Oblast after its entire indigenous population, the Crimean Tatars, were deported to Central Asia, an act recognized as a genocide by Ukraine and three other countries. In 1954, it was later transferred to the Ukrainian SSR from the Russian SFSR.”
Known as Decree No. 117/2021, the document is titled: “DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE №117 / 2021.” The Decree reads as follows.
“On the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of March 11, 2021 “On the Strategy of deoccupation and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol”
Below is the full decree.
In accordance with Article 107 of the Constitution of Ukraine, I decree:
1. To put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of March 11, 2021 “On the Strategy of deoccupation and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol” (attached).
2. To approve the Strategy of deoccupation and reintegration of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (attached).
3. Control over the implementation of the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, enacted by this Decree, shall be vested in the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
4. This Decree shall enter into force on the day of its publication.
President of Ukraine V.ZELENSKY
March 24, 2021
Meanwhile, western military leaders are worried about Russia’s military build-up in the region and as Reuters reports, NATO could have trouble combating Putin’s military strategy. Military leaders are also concerned about Russian troop movements along the Ukrainian border. If the United States gets involved, the response could set off a chain reaction that could ultimately spark World War 3.
Update (April 2, 2021, 12:33 PM EST): Russia declared that reports of US military in Ukraine unacceptable, will defend itself.
Ukraine crisis is escalating rather quickly. US drones and US Navy planes patrolling at 53 000 feet on the Russian border. US navy Poseidon plane just at the Russian airspace border (Crimea) at 10 000 feet. Russia put its entire Black Sea Fleet into combat readiness in Crimea and Krasnodar Krai. It’s just being reported that the Russian military is put on the highest state of alert. War imminent.
Update (April 2, 2021, 3:10 PM EST): Russia warns NATO against sending any troops to Ukraine as “frightening” escalation looms. Russia vowed it will take “extra measures to ensure its own security” should it observe any deployment of NATO troops inside Ukraine, the Kremlin statement said Friday according to Reuters.
Many people are also talking about the story on social media. Joyce Karam, an Adjunct Professor at George Washington and Senior Correspondent, The National @TheNationalNews, wrote on Twitter:
“Wow. Military build-up ongoing in full force on #Russia – #Ukraine border.Video of Ukrainian tanks reportedly rolling today into the Luhansk & Donetsk region:”
Joyce Karam on X (formerly Twitter): “Wow. Military build up ongoing in full force on #Russia – #Ukraine border.Video of Ukrainian tanks reportedly rolling today into the Luhansk & Donetsk region: https://t.co/Nkh4yZMb3M / X”
Wow. Military build up ongoing in full force on #Russia – #Ukraine border.Video of Ukrainian tanks reportedly rolling today into the Luhansk & Donetsk region: https://t.co/Nkh4yZMb3M
In addition, ASB News also reported that the Russian 56th Guards Air Assault Brigade is on the move, and that could be bad news.
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Below is the original Decree No. 117/2021 in the Ukrainian Language. You can read the Decree on the Ukraine government website.
УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №117/2021
Про рішення Ради національної безпеки і оборони України від 11 березня 2021 року «Про Стратегію деокупації та реінтеграції тимчасово окупованої території Автономної Республіки Крим та міста Севастополя»
Відповідно до статті 107 Конституції України постановляю:
1. Увести в дію рішення Ради національної безпеки і оборони України від 11 березня 2021 року «Про Стратегію деокупації та реінтеграції тимчасово окупованої території Автономної Республіки Крим та міста Севастополя» (додається).
2. Затвердити Стратегію деокупації та реінтеграції тимчасово окупованої території Автономної Республіки Крим та міста Севастополя (додається).
3. Контроль за виконанням рішення Ради національної безпеки і оборони України, введеного в дію цим Указом, покласти на Секретаря Ради національної безпеки і оборони України.
4. Цей Указ набирає чинності з дня його опублікування.
Президент України В.ЗЕЛЕНСЬКИЙ
