The Book of Trump - Chapter 47: The Annexation of Crimea

Ghost walks through the 2014 annexation of Crimea by breaking down the sequence of events, the historical context, and the competing narratives from Russia and the West. The episode centers on Vladimir Putin’s detailed justification for Crimea’s reunification with Russia, including arguments around historical ties, ethnic demographics, and the referendum results. Ghost contrasts this with the Western response, highlighting sanctions, international law claims, and NATO’s broader geopolitical role. Through archived speeches and commentary, the discussion explores themes of sovereignty, nationalism, global power dynamics, and the precedent of Kosovo as a justification for Crimea’s move. The episode ultimately frames Crimea as a pivotal turning point that connects the Maidan coup to the broader conflict that follows in eastern Ukraine.