Ukraine (closed; covers till August 2014)

[Firn]

So, Putin just spared two million people from civil war?

There is a fair chance that his friendly occupation will cause exactly that in a Crimea which had it's problem but very little violence.

I already wrote about the manyfold economic dependance of the Crimea on Ukraine. It will be hard hit by the demand shock from tourists, internal turmoil and friction. As you pretty much can count on a puppet regime under Russian control to miss-manage the economy, see Transnistria etc I doubt that Russia will be able to do even a decent economic job. Apart perhaps from gifts to the selected ones which played their part in the political game.

Next it would be nice if you stopped using one-liners and at least try to make your case. I sincerly interested in it, as so far I have seen none.

Shaun Walker ‏@shaunwalker7 15 Min.

Crimea politician: This now Russian territory. Only legal troops here russian. any troops of a 3rd country will be treated as illegal bands.

.....

So the non-Russian Russian troops have not invaded the Crimea, the Crimea moved to them to become Russian. Stupid me.

P.S: Will the great Putin magnanimously accept the vote of the his puppets that the Crimea is from 'today' Russian or will the great leader wisely cool down his people and insist that they should would for the certain outcome of the the fair and open referendum under the Russian boot.