Anatoly Sobchak: Crimea is Russia
"Without Retouching," January 8, 1992.
"I believe there is one legally possible, correct, and fair option—legally correct and fair. All republics and founding members that joined the [Soviet] Union in 1922, after they themselves annulled the 1922 treaty, must return to the borders within which they joined the Union. All other territorial acquisitions are subject to discussion, negotiations, and decision-making, because the basis for their existence has been annulled."
"Regarding the fate of the Black Sea Fleet, I would not like to discuss territorial claims or the fate of Crimea right now. But there are quite a number of precedents where naval bases are located on the territory of another state, even assuming the absurdity that Crimea is Ukrainian territory."
"As far as I know, Sevastopol has never been a Ukrainian naval base. It has always been a Russian naval base." And this is a situation that cannot be changed by any short-term circumstances. What has evolved over centuries cannot be changed overnight, even if it was decided by representatives of the communist nomenklatura and nationalists."
"Ukraine's actions toward, let's say, the Soviet army and navy are actions that pose a colossal threat to all of humanity as a whole. Therefore, it is entirely possible for them to hold some kind of international negotiating conference, say, under the auspices of the UN, with the participation of the world's leading countries. This would be to develop mutually acceptable solutions. I am against resolving any territorial conflicts by force—negotiations are necessary.
But we must not waste time here. We must not allow Ukraine to create an army that, if it does, it will certainly use. I have no doubt about that. I believe that today we are laying a mine not only for our future, but for the future of all humanity."