Troubled waters: Explaining the complicated, complex history of Crimea

The long-simmering conflict between Russia and Ukraine burst into open once again when Russian coast guards fired upon and seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and their crews on Nov. 25 off the Russia-annexed Crimean Peninsula.

The annexation of Crimea by Russia four years ago, however, was not unprecedented at the time when ones looks at the peninsula’s complicated and complex history with disputes between Russia and Ukraine and perhaps even Turkey.

Wary of exacerbating tensions or entangling themselves in a complex conflict, European leaders have rebuffed Ukrainian calls for more support against Moscow.

Video edited by Omar Elkatouri.