2014 Event Ukraine exchanges 222 rebel prisoners for 150 Ukrainian soldiers held by separatist forces; for security reasons, the nation also blockades Crimea, the region annexed by Russia, by stopping bus and train service to and from the area 2014 Event The E.U. extends sanctions against Russia by banning oil and gas exploration, cruise ship activity, and investment in Russian-annexed Crimea, the annexation is considered illegitimate by E.U. member nations 2014 Event Vladimir Putin visits Crimea today for the first time since annexing the region; the visit coincides with a holiday celebrating the U.S.S.R. victory in the Second World War 2014 Event Russia makes assurances that the country will not invade Ukraine in its efforts to resolve the dispute over its annexation of Crimea 2014 Event Vladimir Putin ratifies laws today annexing Crimea, defying sanction threats by the U.S. and the E.U. 2014 Event President Obama promises that the U.S. will not take military action in Ukraine in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea 1944 Event Expulsion of more than 200,000 Tartars from Crimea by Soviet Union begins, they are accused of collaborating with the Germans 1944 Event Russians recapture Crimea by taking Sevastopol 1942 Event German summer offensive opens in Crimea 1854 Event British and French defeat Russians at Alma, in Crimea 1854 Event Allied armies, including those of Britain and France, land in Crimea
