Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin propagandists explained the occupation of the Crimea by the "protection" of Russian speakers and the need to resist the North Atlantic alliance. The plot of "NATO in Sevastopol" was one of the core elements of the information war unleashed by Moscow. The "Krymnas" project did not reach its goal. Russia's actions provoked Kiev's systemic rapprochement with the United States and the rest of NATO countries, writes specifically for the Crimea. Realities political analyst Sergey Stelmakh.

Americans are increasing pressure on the annexed Crimea in order to protect the southern borders of Ukraine from the possible invasion of Russian troops. Engineering units of the US Navy are building an operational control center for the Ukrainian Navy in Ochakov, Mykolayiv region. According to the report of the US military department, the battalions are in Ochakovo since April of this year for establishing contacts, obtaining permits and resolving formal issues. "The operational center is one of three projects, the construction of which is planned in Ochakov by the American construction battalions. It will serve as the main planning and operational center during future military exercises conducted by Ukraine, "the US Navy.

Such actions are predicted to bring Moscow out of balance. Franz Klintsevich, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, criticized the work of the US military. "In this case, the process of preparation of Ukraine's entry into NATO. On the part of Ukraine, I perceive this as a provocation, "- said Klintsevich. He threatened that the actions of the Americans "will not remain without consequences".

While the "Russian response" was expressed in the TV hysterics of the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zhirinovsky on the air of the talk show "60 minutes". "Nothing will be built. Here (in Ochakov - KR) there will be a grave. We shall all be drowned in the Black Sea! The Kiev government will be destroyed. This is the Russian land ... We will destroy all, shoot! ", - Zhirinovskaya shouted at the address of the Ukrainian journalist Yanina Sokolovskaya. Politician threatened to crack down on American soldiers and insulted Ukrainians. Discussing the base in Ochakov, the leader of the LDPR has surpassed himself. It is worth recalling that after the annexation of the Crimea he threatened Poland and the Baltic States with carpet bombing if they decided to help Ukraine. Further loud words the Russians did not go. The current hysteria of Zhirinovsky indicates that Moscow does not have a clear answer to the US actions. Square swearing and cheating on the cheek in the TV - the only thing that the authorities can offer the adherents of the "Krymnas".

The operational center in Ochakov is only one example of Kiev's military cooperation with NATO countries. Exercises of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and military men are held in the Lviv region. Americans not only train, but also contact with the local population, help residents in case of emergency situations. They behave exactly as allies. Recently, in Odessa completed the next exercise "Sea Breeze". The office of NATO was opened in Kiev. According to preliminary information, during a military parade to mark the Independence Day of Ukraine, in Kiev will march the troops of the alliance. This was not even under the ex-president Viktor Yushchenko, whose policy was completely turned towards the West.

Before the annexation of the Crimea, Kremlin agents openly promoted in the Ukrainian parliament initiatives on "non-aligned status" and counteracted even the theoretical integration of the country with the North Atlantic alliance. In the southeast of Ukraine, Moscow had a network of "public organizations" that organized protests against NATO. Until the spring of 2014, Vladimir Putin had allies in Europe, who in every possible way blocked the advance of Ukraine and Georgia towards the Western military bloc. Taking the Crimea and setting up a massacre in the Donbas, the Kremlin rendered a disservice to its own agents.

Important detail. Foreign military personnel were in Ochakov since April. The US Navy was informed of the construction of the facility only after the entry into force of the US law on anti-Russian sanctions. Russian propaganda diligently keeps silent the most principled articles of the document. Section 257 states that the US foreign policy assumes a complete restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. The law contains the most important norm: "never recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the government of the Russian Federation or the separation of any part of the territory of Ukraine by military force". The text prescribes a "safety device" so that Russians do not even count on the informal recognition of "Krymnas". The rigid formulation of "never recognize" (CD) suggests that Washington will not "give" Crimea to any kind of form. This also applies to the Moscow "democratic opposition", which dreams of quelling the peninsula after the collapse of the Cheka regime.

Americans openly drive Putin into the corner. In such a situation, the Kremlin traditionally raises bets, threatening with a great war or "nuclear ashes". The presence of US troops on the territory of Ukraine suggests that a massive Russian offensive from the Crimea and the Donbass will mean a direct clash with Washington. A similar US policy was pursued in 2014-2016 with respect to the Baltic States, increasing there military presence. So that the Kremlin does not organize the promotion of the "Russian world" in Estonia or Latvia. Not the fact that the Americans will directly fight for Ukraine, but the United States has a vast arsenal of political and economic instruments capable of causing significant damage to Russia and in a short time.

What in the end? "Krymnas" did not fulfill the strategic task of breaking up Ukraine and demoralizing the Western political elite. On the contrary, the annexed peninsula was in the grip of NATO. With each month, the pressure on him will intensify. And as soon as the Kremlin regime finds itself in a deep crisis, Ukraine, as the legal owner, will return to the Crimea and ORDLO. The time when Western politicians sought a compromise and tried to "pacify" Putin, it was irretrievably.