Russian propagandists are trying to answer the decision of the Permanent Arbitration Court in The Hague on the suit of Ukrainian companies to Russia as a reminder of how another decision of the same court could be torpedoed - at the suit of YUKOS shareholders. Then the Permanent Arbitration Court ruled to recover in favor of shareholders the amount of $ 50 billion. Russia - like in the case of the Ukrainian lawsuit in the Crimea - did not recognize the court's right to take this decision and filed a lawsuit with the District Court of The Hague. And the court agreed with her arguments, after which the collection of money in favor of YUKOS shareholders was significantly complicated. In the case of the Crimea, the same scheme can be applied. But to agree with these arguments, I would not be in a hurry. First, the story with YUKOS is also far from complete. Secondly, no one said that the District Court in The Hague in the case of the Crimea will take the same decision as in the case of Yukos. Thirdly, even if such a decision is made, the story is far from over. Fourth, this is only the first such decision on the first of the lawsuits. And, fifthly, Crimea is not YUKOS. Because in the case of the destruction by the Russian authorities of YUKOS, it was a violation of private property rights. And in the case of the Crimea and the damage to Ukrainian companies, it is also about the obvious violation of international law. Apparently for everyone, even for those in the West who would like to close their eyes to the crimes of the Kremlin. The damage done to Ukrainian companies, the theft of Ukrainian state property and the other economic consequences of annexation is a direct consequence of the occupation of the peninsula and the political decision of the Kremlin. The tactics of delaying court decisions, appeals and transfer of hearings are a good and justified tactic when it comes to banal economic affairs that relate to the interests of citizens and companies. But such tactics do not work with international law. That is why Russia will sooner or later have to realize one very simple thing: after annexation it has become a state with unrecognized borders. And this state is vulnerable to international courts. And it will be vulnerable until the issue of its borders is resolved. Until Russia returns to internationally recognized borders. And this means - Crimea will have to give back, and for debts - to pay. However fantastic this may sound for the adherents of the Russian leadership. I could reassure them with the words that if Russia falls apart - and no one excludes such a variant in its political development, then there will be no one to pay.

But this is not true. On the debts of the Bolsheviks, who also stole the property of foreign depositors of the banks of the Russian Empire, the Russian Federation paid. Already after the collapse of the Soviet Union - that is, after the former empire ceased to exist in its territorial integrity. Therefore, sooner or later Ukraine will be paid, if not Russia, then that Russia will remain. And this is the simplest conclusion from the court decision in The Hague. Original.