Implicit in the article is the thought that either the Europeans or the Americans could influence the events.
Neither has any ability to do so. The absorption of Crimea is a fiat accompli.
There is a question about an illegal election. An election is an election. The people will speak........ and favor Russia over the undesirable government in Kiev. The question of legality is therefore moot.
Even if Obama/Lurch had international credibility or respect, there is no real leverage over events in Ukraine. It will play out as it will with no influence from America.
Dragging out tired old Chamberlain thoughts are also meaningless. He was like Obama, powerless to influence events but screwed up mightily by uttering “peace in out time”.
If I was Crimean - I would vote to join Russia.
Why? Because I see Kiev cannot even keep the country together, it cannot count on the West to protect it.
But I can count on Russia - it can be counted to be there when a call was put out for its help and its acceded to the request to allow Crimea to join it.
I would definitely rely more on Russia than on the West - and quite frankly, so would any sane person living in that part of the world.
An Obama promise is an expendable one.