Ethnic Russian in Crimea give red carpet welcome to returning BSF warships - Mustafa Dzhemilyov

Although the feelings among the populace are not high, the military conflict in S Ossetia is viewed differently by ethnic Russians and Crimean Tatars, with most of the debate taking place in the media.

M. Dzhemilyov said that the Medzhlis (parliament) of Crimean Tatars has publicized a statement on the conflict in S Ossetia: “We have stressed that Russia has brazenly violated the international law. It sets a very dangerous precedent as the Kremlyn can use the same tactics in Crimea where Russia hands out Russian passports left, right and center,” he said.

Medzhlis voiced its concern over the fact that the Russian fleet operated from its base in Ukraine, something that implicated Ukraine in this confrontation. The Crimean leader believes that Ukraine must demand an early withdrawal of the Russian fleet and not wait until the lease of Sevastopol expires in 2017. The fleet presence in Crimea fuels pro-Russian feelings on the peninsula, he says.

Unfortunately, there were no consultations between Kyiv and the Medzhlis during the flare-up in S Ossetia - “much to our regret,” he added.