Crimean Tatars and Leading Powers of Islamic Civilization: Investments in Expansion

Abstract

The article reveals the main methods of influence of Islamic states on the Crimean Tatars since the 1990 s. The object of the study is the policy of Islamic states in the post-Soviet space, the subject is the Crimean Tatar factor in the policy of Islamic states. After the repatriation of the Crimean Tatars to Crimea in the 1980 s, various subjects of international relations, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran, etc., financed economic, socio-cultural, religious projects on the peninsula. The Republic of Turkey has had the most significant impact on the Crimean Tatars since the 1990 s in comparison with other Islamic states. Until 2014, Turkey carried out systematic work in relation to the Crimean Tatar ethnic group on the territory of Crimea. A significant role in the formation of the attractive image of the Turkish Republic for this ethnic group was played by: state structures of Turkey, representatives of business circles, the Crimean Tatar diaspora of Turkey, religious organizations and foundations, higher educational institutions of Crimea and Turkey, mass media. After the Crimea came under the jurisdiction of Russia in 2014, the work of Islamic states, including Turkish organizations on Crimean Tatar issues continued from the territory of Ukraine. Since the Crimean Tatar issue plays for Ankara one of the key roles in the system of checks and balances in cooperation with Russia.