Bills
| 3.23.22

Should The U.S. Refuse To Recognize Russian Sovereignty Over Crimea? (H.R. 93)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 93?

(Updated July 18, 2018)

H.R. 93 asserts that the U.S. will not recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, a territory Russia annexed from Ukraine in March 2014. The bill prohibits federal departments and agencies from taking any action that recognizes or implies the recognition of this annexation. 

The bill authorizes the President to waive these prohibitions in the event that it is necessary to do so to protect U.S. national security interests.

Argument in favor

Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea sets a dangerous precedent for the potential annexation of other neighboring nations, such as Moldova, Georgia, and the Baltic Republics.

Argument opposed

Crimean citizens reportedly voted in favor of joining the Russia Federation. The U.S. shouldn’t condemn an action that was supported by the people who were directly affected.

Impact

Federal U.S. departments and agencies, Ukrainian citizens, people who live in the Crimean region, the Russian government, Congress, and U.S./Russia diplomatic relations.

Cost of H.R. 93

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

Of Note:

Small protests began in Ukraine in November 2013 following then-President Viktor Yanukovich’s decision to abandon an agreement for closer trade relations with the European Union (EU). He instead sought closer economic cooperation with Russia. The Ukrainian government responded to public unrest by passing an anti-protest law, which escalated the protests. Activist leaders, the political opposition, and Yanukovich eventually reach an agreement to hold early elections in order to form a new government.


Unhappy with the new administration in Ukraine, pro-Russian protesters rallied in the eastern Ukrainian region of Crimea. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin then deployed hundreds of Russian troops to Crimea in order to maintain order in the region, claiming that Russia reserves the right to protect the ethnic Russians in Crimea.


On March 6, 2014, Crimea’s parliament voted in favor of succeeding from Ukraine and joining Russia. A public referendum was conducted, wherein over 93 percent of Crimean citizens reportedly voted in favor of union with Russia. The U.S. and other Western nations subsequently deemed the referendum illegal. Ignoring international condemnation, Vladimir Putin continued with the signing of the treaty to absorb Crimea into Russia on March 18, 2014. The United States and the European Union responded with heavy economic sanctions on Russia.



Media:

Sponsoring Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA) Press Release




(Photo Credit: Flickr user mwmbwls)