THE INCLUSION OF THE CRIMEA INTO THE UKRAINIAN SSR: THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REASONS

Abstract

Abstract. Stalin’s death in early March 1953 has exacerbated contradictions between the
Center and the republics, made national question a bargaining chip in a power struggle in
Moscow. At the same time strengthening of international political position of the USSR, consolidating
of the administrative-command system in the country and neutralization of nationalist
resistance movement in the western regions of emerging superpower including Ukraine,
creating the illusion of complete national welfare. Hence – strengthening the role of national po-

litical elites in the management of local affairs, the government’s desire to make Ukraine together
with Russia ally in strengthening the political regime of the USSR. A new vision of
Ukraine’s place in the USSR and Ukrainian-Russian relations has found its relief reflection in
two symbolic events – celebrations of the 300th anniversary of Pereyaslav Rada and transfer of
the Crimean Oblast from RSFSR to the Ukrainian SSR.
The most recent event was the logical culmination of the process of integration of the Crimean
economy in Ukrainian and took place not only by mutual consent of the leaders of the Soviet Russia
and Ukraine, but also on the initiative of the Government of the RSFSR. In any official document
no mention of «gift on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the reunification of
Ukraine with Russia». On the contrary, this act was entirely conformable for reunion
«Pereyaslav ideology», implementation of which in life deepened cultural and civilizational
Russian-Ukrainian «unity».
Key words: annexation, empire, international political positions, the national question, patriotism,
repression.