We will see in a couple of years, maybe ten or more who has 'won' for the time being. Earlier in the thread I stated that Putin has got for now the Crimea but he might have lost the rest of Ukraine, and possibly a good part of the Russian economy. That depends largely on the European willpower although American help, especially financial one is highly welcomed.

Interestingly the NYT has a nice article about the 'economic miracle' of South Ossetia, which fits neatly with the papers I found about the great economic success of Abkhazia. Transnistrias economic history does make the economic triumph of Russia's 'frozen occupations' complete. Note the debt level and the link to Gazprom&Co. They certainly put their earnings to good Samaritian use.

Expectations are now too sky-high in the Crimea, pumped up with propaganda and promises, promises and promises. Even with the best policies and vast help from Russia it will difficult to fulfill those dreams...