“The Crimea Issue” The Strategic Choice Of Geopolitical Contention Between The US And Russia

March 16, 2014, Crimea and Sevastopol hold a referendum, more than 96% of the electorate voted in favor of adding Russia. Crimean parliament announced “independent” from the Ukrainian and applied to join Russia on the 17 th. March 18, Crimea and Russia signed an official treaty which allows Crimea to join the Russian Federation. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a speech, saying that Crimea is an integral part of Russia.The Crimean referendum triggered a fierce response between related countries. Russia recognized the independence of the Crimea and the rapid acceptance of its joining into Russia. Ukraine did not recognize the referendum results in a statement that the referendum was illegal. US and EU announced sanctions against the Russian action. Related countries took different policies from their own interests. Behind the events in the Crimea, the dispute is in fact a game of geopolitics led by the US and Russia.Firstly, the paper applies the Geopolitical Theory into the study of struggle between the US and Russia on issue of Crimea. The paper analyses the situation of Crimea and the reaction of related counties after the occurrence of Crimea issue. The divergence appears between the related countries because they all focus on their own national interests. The paper analyses the applicability of Geopolitical Theory in Crimea.Secondly, the paper analyses the background of the struggle between US and Russia on Crimea from the history, the current situation and strategic point of view of the status in Crimea. The paper makes analysis of the reasons of the struggle between US and Russia on Crimea from the Crimea itself and the external forces. Through the study of the changing game situation before and after Crimea event between US and Russia, the paper analyses and forecasts the impact on regional and international security pattern of Crimea’s joining into Russia.Finally, the paper analyses the development prospects of Crimea. The paper makes basic speculation of Crimean westward and eastward trend movements. Meanwhile, the paper analyses the problem of whether the United States and Russia’s compete in the Crimea is outbreak of the new Cold War or not.