The United States and European Union are warning Russia over its involvement in Crimea, amid claims any move by the region to separate from Ukraine and join the Russian federation would be in violation of international law.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin, in turn, has raised the case of Kosovo, saying a precedent was set by the former Yugoslav region which -- backed by the United States and other western nations -- declared independence from Serbia in 2008.
Others -- among them Italy's Veneto region, the autonomous territory of Catalonia in Spain, and Scotland -- are hoping to follow the lead, albeit with less resistance.
So, what are the international rules that govern a peoples' right to self-determination?
International law expert from the Australian National University, Professor Don Rothwell, is speaking to Kristina Kukolja.
