Russia, Ukraine Agree to Week-Long ‘Truce’ in Crimea

Russian Troops Won't Contest Ukraine Control of Bases

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, a “truce” has been agreed to with Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea for the next week.

During the truce, the two sides won’t engage in hostilities toward one another, and Russia has agreed not to contest the control of Ukrainian military bases in the Crimean Peninsula.

It’s likely not to last long, as Crimeans voted earlier today to continue their secession from Ukraine and seek to join the Russian Federation, and it is unlikely either the Crimeans or the Russians will want Ukraine to keep bases in their territory in the long run.

Many of Ukraine’s troops in the peninsula defected to Crimea in the early stages of secessionist protests, but some bases have remained under Ukrainian control. According to officials, the truce is in effect until Friday, and Ukraine will use that opportunity for “a replenishment of reserves.”

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.