The 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea had far-reaching implications for global politics – demonstrating that it is still possible for countries to get away with redrawing borders through aggression.
Although the international community condemned the annexation, imposing economic sanctions on Russia, the sanctions neither restored Crimea to Ukraine nor deterred Russia from invading again in 2022.
The People’s Republic of China has long considered resolving “the Taiwan question” crucial. China’s leader Xi Jinping has stated that the absorption of Taiwan, even if it requires force, is key to his plan to “rejuvenate the Chinese nation.”
China’s leaders closely watch the situation in Ukraine, seeing it as a test of American determination and the unity of Western alliances. China also sees the potential for a prolonged conflict in Europe as a distraction for the West. As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, it consumes American resources and attention.
If Russia ultimately maintains control over newly annexed Ukrainian territory, that may embolden China in its ambitions to annex Taiwan by force. The threat of sanctions may not be enough to deter Beijing: Policymakers in China may also anticipate that the economic dependence of other countries on China could mitigate the severity of these consequences, and some Chinese officials believe they can evade US-led sanctions.
It is therefore crucial that Ukraine’s supporters in the West send a decisive message, and send it now.
Before the 2022 invasion there was little faith that Crimea could be restored to Ukraine, and that possibility remains an open question in the ongoing conflict.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously stated that a Ukrainian effort to retake Crimea would be a red line for Putin, but there has been a shift in his stance, as he asserts that there will be no “just” or “durable” peace unless Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.
A Biden administration official even told members of Congress in December 2022 that Ukraine had the military capability to take back Crimea. Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges of the US Army said there was growing belief that Ukraine’s military would successfully regain control of Crimea by August 2023.
The United Kingdom has recently supplied Ukraine with multiple “Storm Shadow” cruise missiles, significantly bolstering the nation’s long-range strike capabilities.
Furthermore, French President Emmanuel Macron has committed to providing Kiev with the SCALP-EG missile, similar to the Storm Shadow, with a range of up to 155 miles (249.4 kilometers.)
This advanced weaponry holds the potential to target strategic locations, including the Kerch Strait Bridge – a crucial land link between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, serving as a vital supply route for Russian forces amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Despite apprehensions on the part of certain Western leaders regarding Putin’s designation of Crimea as a “red line,” the region remains under relentless assault from Ukrainian forces.
The recent introduction of advanced, extended-range munitions from the United States is poised to escalate further the barrage on military targets. With Russia hurriedly constructing defensive trenches in Crimea, it became evident that Moscow was profoundly worried about the region’s susceptibility to a potential Ukrainian invasion.
Last September, Putin declared Kherson part of Russia, despite lacking full control. Putin declared that Russia would use “all the forces and means at their disposal” to “protect” this newly acquired territory.
However, Ukraine showed little concern and, within 40 days, Russia abandoned Kherson’s capital city. Putin’s annexation justification was based on a staged poll, claiming it represented the will of the people, much like the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In a recent statement, former French president François Hollande highlighted the notion that a triumphant Ukraine, symbolized by the withdrawal of Russian forces from Donbas and potentially even Crimea, would effectively discourage Russia and China from pursuing imperialistic ambitions against their neighbors. The defeat of Putin would not only signify the abandonment of such temptations but also serve as a resolute message that aggressive actions will not yield favorable outcomes.
However, if Ukraine falls short of reclaiming its original borders from 2014 and if it can only restore its pre-February 2022 borders, China may interpret that as showing the West’s insufficient commitment to reestablishing the international order.
The recently appointed special envoy of China for the Russo-Ukrainian conflict has emphasized an immediate cease-fire. This proposal entails granting Russia control over the currently occupied regions of Ukraine. Such an outcome would embolden Russia further.
Consequently, a Russian triumph would deliver a disheartening message to the world and set an alarming precedent for the Chinese, offering them encouragement in their own ambitions.
The provision of essential weaponry to Ukraine in a timely manner, enabling the restoration of its internationally recognized borders, holds significant importance for both the United States and Europe. Failure to expedite this support inadvertently benefits China, by diverting attention and resources away from Taiwan
In the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the United States would be compelled to prioritize the defense of Taiwan due to its heightened strategic value. Hence, it becomes crucial for the United States to motivate its European allies to assume a more prominent role in protecting against Russian aggression.
Encouragingly, recent developments indicate a positive trend, exemplified by Germany’s recent announcement of its largest aid package to Ukraine yet – nearly US$3 billion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated, “This Russian war against Ukraine and against the entire free Europe began with Crimea and must end with Crimea – with its liberation.”
But the importance of the war ending in Crimea extends beyond today’s Europe. It will serve as a cautionary reminder in the face of future acts of aggression that, in the long term, the democratic world will band together no matter how long it takes to defeat authoritarian aggression.
A quicker end to the war with a complete restoration of international order, serves as the best deterrent to China’s Taiwan ambitions.
David Kirichenko ([email protected]) is a freelance journalist and an editor at Euromaidan Press. He tweets @DVKirichenko. This article was originally published by Pacific Forum and is republished with permission.