5. Crimean Peninsula
The Crimean Peninsula has recently become the subject of international news as it becomes the newest territorial dispute. The peninsula was annexed by Russia in 2014 following a Ukrainian revolution. Crimea has a majority Russian population, many of which were in favor of returning to Russia following the instability within Ukraine, but it was never put to a recognized vote. Protests waged throughout Crimea that were pro-Russian and against the interim government that was set up after the revolution.
Ukraine tried to maintain control of the peninsula even as pro-Russian protests increased. The city of Sevastopol even went as far as to elect a Russian citizen as mayor which is illegal under Ukrainian law. The Supreme Council Chairman stated that the Crimean Peninsula would not consider separating from the Ukraine. The following day Russian special forces seized control of the Supreme Council of Crimea building and the building of the Council of Ministers. Russian flags were raised above the buildings.
Under Russian occupation the council was forced to meet and hold votes, either under threat or they had their votes cast for them. One report stated that the members of the Crimean Parliament were held at gunpoint until they agreed to give their support to the annexation. A move which the Ukrainian government immediately declared illegal. Russian troops spread throughout the peninsula without insignia and Russia denied any troops in Crimea. On March 18th, 2014 The Treaty on Accession of the Republic of Crimean to Russia was signed. The UN General Assembly declared the referendum and change of status as invalid.
In July 2015, the Russian Prime Minister declared that Crimea had been fully integrated into Russia. In August 2016, Ukraine stated that Russia has increased its troops along the demarcation line, causing Ukraine to increase their troops along the Russian border.