De Krim
Summary
Hosts Xavier Taverne and Shema Saizai interview historian Emanuel Wagemans about the complex history of Crimea. They discuss its strategic importance, the legacy of the Crimean Tatars, and the 1954 transfer from Russia to Ukraine. The episode explores how historical grievances and Soviet nostalgia fuel Russia’s annexation and current war efforts.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Emanuel Wagemans
Geography of Crimea and the 2014 annexation
Historical context: Tatars, Mongols, and Ottomans
Russian conquest under Catherine the Great
The 1654 Pereyaslav Agreement and Russian-Ukrainian ties
Khrushchev's 1954 transfer of Crimea to Ukraine
WWII, Nazi occupation, and Stalin's deportation of Tatars
Post-war Soviet era and Crimean tourism
Putin's justification for annexation and denazification claims
The Kerch Bridge attacks and current military situation
Conclusion and outlook on the conflict
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