"Curtis" Putinbot,

It's hard to see that "how Crimea could change its allegiance" is some "key question" internationally. There is no question regarding how theater national borders of Ukraine could legally be changed, because it is spelled out very clearly in the Ukrainian constitution. Nothing vague about it. And this idea that there is some "right of self-determination" that pertains to the national alignment of real property, rather than the concept of people having a right to have a say in the forms of their government, is entirely cooked up by Russian propagandists like you.



Some nations endorse in law the concept of "private property." Under such laws, citizens and sometimes residents or even foreigners may have title to parcels of real property, and this title gives them certain rights under law in that nation. However, numerous rights over that property are reserved for the State (like how you can use the property, if you can build on it, etc). No nation on Earth currently includes the right to determine the national alignment of that parcel as one of the rights extended under the concept of "private property." Indeed, the last nation on earth to even allow discussion of national alignment of property or territory is Russia, where you go to jail even for mentioning aloud that an area ought to be otherwise governed or aligned than it is. So this "right of self-determination" BS wafting out of the other side of the Kremlin's mouth is worse than hypocracy.



The rest of Ukraine contributed over 70% of crimeas annual budget each and every year. Yes, it's true. Besides which, the People of Ukraine collectively own the resources both tangible and abstract, of Crimea. That is why they have a say in the national alignment of Crimea and the borders of their nation, and why their constitution calls for a national referendum on any change of borders.



Even IF Crimea's "referendum" hadn't happened under the barrels of guns, and there had been a quorum and no threats of bodily harm in the legislative body that took actions there, the referendum would have had no value, because the people voting lacked the authority to unilaterally determine the alignment of Crimea. It's called the rule of law.