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PacNet #24A – Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its implications for East Asia: a Russian perspective

Concerns about Crimea’s implications for Asian geopolitics are fair, provided that Asian countries strongly believe that the principle of non-violation of a nation’s integrity is “sacred” and they consistently abide by it. Reality is more complicated, however. Despite being “sacred,” this principle has been violated many times, usually justified by circumstances. In Kosovo, for instance, it was “justified” by the killing of thousands of people.