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Such a referendum has no precedent, analysts say, and no one appears certain how opponents, Russia and the world will react, or what difference the vote may make.
/snip
"You have Russian troops on the ground – it cannot be considered legal – any referendum that happens at gunpoint is illegal," said Liik. "Plus, the referendum was announced by the new prime minister who was appointed at a session of parliament that was also at gunpoint. He got 4% of the vote at the latest local election, so he is clearly not representative, either. That is all staged by Russia."
If Crimea says 'Da!,' what's next?
I had no idea that the "leader" only received 4% of the vote.
The article makes a interesting point that this entire situation is in Putin's hands.
Given the lack of serious action by the West, many analysts say the outcome of the crisis is squarely in the hands of Putin.
"What happens will be decided by Putin," said Kadri Liik, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. "He hasn't said the final word on whether he will join Crimea with Russia or not. But all groundwork is prepared. Basically he has freedom of action."
The bear is out of the cage. Are we prepared to in a Cold War Era again?