I visited Kiev and Crimea a few years ago. The two places are a world apart. Kiev is Ukrainian; Crimea is owned by Russians, residents are mostly Russian, and the Russian military is predominant. It’s kind of like Ukraine’s Puerto Rico - a unique culture. Some of the population is re-populated ethnic Tajiks who Stalin tried to exterminate or Deport.
Crimea has always been Russia’s resort country on the Black Sea, rich Russians have property there (summer palace of the Czar in Yalta is where the Yalta accords were signed).
The Russian fleet is indeed strategic at Sevastopol. I understand why Putin did this. It was a smart move on his part, given the hostility vs Russia in Kiev.
However, it is definitely a hegemony move, to take the territory in violation of sovereign power and treaties. Identical to Putin’s land grab in Georgia.
If Ukraines’s un-elected government wants to join Nato/EU contrary to the West’s previous agreement that no missiles would ever be stationed in Ukraine against Russia, well Russia certainly isn’t going to stand by and just watch. We wouldn’t either if this was happening on our border.
Putin stated clearly he would not fight a war with Ukrainian’s....that does not mean he wouldn’t fight Nato troops if they stick their noses in this....
I believe this is why the EU/Nato/US are going at breakneck speed to get all the “paperwork” completed, and nations to acknowledge this New Gov. This would then allow troops in Ukraine.
If Obama wants to start another war because he things he has the right to place missiles in Ukraine,( which the Agreement with Eu/Nato states as a condition for receiving funds and admission to Nato)...Putin will definitely give him this war I think...but hopefully better minds will prevail in this whole situation. This remains to be seen.