How Nikita Khrushchev gave Crimea to Ukraine. February 19, 1954 the Presidium of the Soviet Supreme of the USSR adopted a decree on the transfer of the Crimean region of the RSFSR to the USSR. Through this document, the Crimea was, in fact, presented to Ukraine by Khrushchev. “Royal Gift” was made on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the reunification of Ukraine with Russia… “How much indignation and horror experienced Russians in this limp, not disputed, not in the least protested by our then weak diplomacy, by giving out the Crimea for 24 hours – and betrayal it every time in every Crimean conflict.” Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

Crimea was presented to Ukraine by the first Secretary of the CPSU Khrushchev in a fit of “drunken generosity” – after two glasses of cognac. Of course, the transfer of the Crimean region of the RSFSR to the USSR was a mere formality. Then even in a nightmare nobody could have imagined that the Soviet Union would collapse and Ukraine will be “independent”. The Royal Gift of course, independent Ukraine is not going to return.

Historians explain generosity of Nikita Khrushchev quite simple. Having come to power after the death of Stalin, debunking the cult of personality and condemning repression, the leader of the state was involved in many repression affairs. As first secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine in 1938 – 1947, he was active in the struggle against “enemies of the people” and to make amends and enlist the support of the Ukrainian “elite”, Khrushchev made ​​a sweeping gesture – presented Crimea, a republic resort peninsula!

No one asked the population of Crimea, almost entirely Russian. No one had the courage to rebel. Desire of first person of the ruling party was the law.

In 1992, the illegality of the transfer has been officially recognized by the Supreme Council of Russia. Yet, the region was called the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and in its composition was not included the south-west peninsula, Sevastopol city council subordinate, which is a unit of national subjugation, and the northern half of the Kherson region.

Of course, the leaders of the RSFSR were well aware that under the transfer of Crimea was necessary some ideological justification. The quite convenient was anniversary – 300 years of reunion of Ukraine and Russia. This date was decided to celebrate loudly and widely, at the state level.

May 16, 1954, according to the decision of the executive committee and the Crimean regional Soviets, the city of Simferopol held a joint commemorative session devoted to the 300th anniversary of the reunification of Ukraine with Russia. The meeting was held in the Regional Theatre named after Gorky. May 24, 1954 “Crimean Truth” wrote: “How joyous workers of Crimea are, celebrating a remarkable date – the 300th anniversary of the reunification of Ukraine and Russia.”