Annexation of the Crimea as an example of interventionism in the Russian foreign policy in the Putin period

Russia, which has stretched over a strategic region and has been a major power throughout the history, has intervened in other states with respect to the expansionist policy existing in its state tradition. Starting with Vladimir Putin's power, Russia Federation, which emerged as the successor of the Soviet Union, has also emphasized the concept of great power frequently and pursued a pragmatic policy laying weight on multipolarity in foreign and security policies. As part of paying special attention to the immediate vicinity to protect Russian national interests, Russia has concluded that the only way to be regarded a respected actor in the international arena and pursue effective policies is to dominate the neighbouring regions. In this regard, Ukraine was the prominent actor in the immediate vicinity for Russia. In addition to its geopolitical location, Ukraine is regarded an important state as it harbours the transit pipelines and the Russian Sevastopol military base in Crimea. Due to this location, Ukraine has been an actor to be paid special attention not only by Russia, but also by the USA and the EU. Remaining in between the West and Russia, Ukraine has elaborated to devise multidirectional policies. When the western determination to make this state a NATO member and integrate it with the EU clashed with Russian efforts to make it a part of Eurasia Economic Union, Russia intervened in Crimea and annexed this region. This study analyzes the Russian intervention in Crimea in the framework of offensive realism and reviews the motives leading Russia to the intervention in Crimea. The study concludes that the Russian intervention in Crimea results from Crimean position in Russian geopolitics in addition to Russian historical, cultural and emotional motivations with Ukraine. Yet, it is obvious that the basic motive for Russian intervention were opportunities which emerged as a result of cyclical developments, and Russia has exploited these opportunities with a tactical action and turned it into an advantage. Key Words: Russia, Crimea, Interventionism, Offensive Realism, Great Power