Ukraine and Russia: Development of legal relations and the Kerch Strait incident

Abstract

The focus of this thesis is to explore and analyse the development of interstate legal relations between the Republic of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Furthermore, the Kerch Strait case study is used in order to reflect on the development of legal relations between the Republic of Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The first part of the thesis explores the different dynamics of Ukraine–Russia relations in regard to the “Crimean question”. The second and the third parts are intended to serve the purpose of outlining the main legal problem questions that come in connection with the Kerch Strait incident. The findings of this thesis suggest that Russia is in violation of international law.