This isn’t Putin propaganda - my point is that while Russians don’t want war with Ukraine - there is a unanimity of view in Russia even among Putin opponents that Crimea is part of Russia.
The West is defending the edict of a long dead Soviet dictator over the wishes of Crimea to be a part of Russia. Its going to be completed by the end of the week and there is nothing we can really do to reverse it.
We don’t have history and justice on our side - we’re reduced to defending a previous Ukrainian constitution no one voted to restore and we’re defending a regime in Kiev no voted for either. The Crimean referendum this weekend was transparent and fair.
And instead of accepting the results, America and the West talk to Russia from the point of a gun. That won’t change anything on the ground. The West can continue to try to senselessly beat up Russia or it can move on. Its made its point.
Well said: completely agree. As one who is living in Moscow right now, I can say that it’s absolutely clear here that the overwhelming majority of Russians (and Crimeans, clearly) see Crimea as a historically integral part of Russia - even those who are otherwise anti-Putin.
We all know that Putin is no saint (not by a long way) - but he’s strengthened his hand enormously over the last few weeks here, even among those who I’ve heard criticize him before. The US/western reaction to the events in Crimea - both politically and in the media - is only helping him in this respect.