Popova D. «The Crimea issue» in Ukraine-Russia relations (1991 – 2010).

For the first time in Ukrainian historiography, the thesis is devoted to the analysis of a complex phenomenon of Crimea in Ukraine-Russia relations within the period of 1991-2010. In the origin of the research lies a thorough analysis of the documents of the post-war period of 1947–1959. The thesis proves the financial viability of the decision of the USSR central authorities to reattach administratively and financially Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954. It is demonstrated that the historic circumstances refute any insinuations about the «gift of Crimea on occasion of the 300-year of reunion» of Ukraine with Russia. The author proves the legitimacy of belonging of the Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Ukraine. Moreover, the paper demonstrates that Kyiv strategically won when created the Crimean autonomy and refused to apply forceful scenarios and solutions aimed at localization of the internal conflict between the local population and the Crimean Tatar settlers. The author develops an original concept of historical milestones in the definition of the «Crimean problem» as well of the border demarcation, and justifies the position of the Ukrainian government on the legitimacy of separation of the space of ??the Black and Azov seas. The thesis sets the following objectives: to analyze mistakes of the Ukrainian government in defending the territorial integrity of Ukraine; identify gaps in Ukraine-Russia agreements on the division of the land objects located on the Crimean coastline, as well as violations of these agreements by Russia related to the conditions of stay and dislocation of the Black Sea Fleet on the territory of Ukraine; reveal the difficulties of the humanitarian issues in Crimea related to the intensification of Russian and Crimean Tatar influences.