An analysis on Ukraine-Russia crisis: the territorial sovereignty and right to secession / Mohd Hakim Musa, Muhammad Shaiff Md Nasri and Muhammad Syahmi Sulaiman

Russia's annexation of Crimea and possible future incursions into eastern Ukraine could threaten the international peace and security. The alleged of military provocation and illegal annexation cause a serious breach of national and international law. This paper will analyses various legal principles particularly the right of territorial sovereignty against right to self-determination in understanding Ukraine-Russia crisis and try to provide with a compromise solution that may reach between parties. The 16th of March Crimea referendum and the alleged central government coup d'etat were against Ukraine Constitution yet these grounds did not affect the Kiev government over Ukraine territorial sovereignty. Russia Military intervention is justified to protect Russian origin ethnic minorities in Crimea by virtue of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership. The fact of Russian ethnic made up the majority population in Crimea brings weak justification to invoke right to secession and self-determination.