The referendum last week was about pocketbook issues, stupid. Its not much by Western European standards but living in Russia still meant a substantial rise in the standard of living.
I’m surprised the vote to join Russia wasn’t 100%.
“...about pocketbook issues...”
Personal finances will be worse for many in the Crimea. They will lose on the transfer of Ukrainian Hryvnia to Russian Rubles (already happening) and on many account transactions. They will lose money in beach and palace tourism with visas required for more nations. And as bad as Ukrainian bureaucrats are...Russain bureaucrats can be worse.