What people should understand about the referendum is that with the threat of violence and actual violence, and intimidation of Russia’s military occupying the Crimea, Ukrainians who support a free Ukraine did not go out to vote as they considered the referendum illegitimate.  The United States and the European Union have told Putin they will not recognize this vote as it violates Ukraine’s constitution and international law. This is not an ethnic issue, it is a matter of differing ideologies.  Many Ukrainians wish to be aligned with the West to enjoy freedom and democracy, while the hard-core communists want to be reunited under the old Soviet collectivist regime.

The Ukrainian uprising began because of the pro-Russian government of Victor Yanukovich and their unwillingness to join Russia.  Putin moved into the Crimea to stop the rebellion (and gain valuable land) and it looks like Crimea has been lost to Russia.  With Putin taking over the gas plant he has shown his desire to control energy sources into Europe, potentially crippling the entire continent.  Europe imports over thirty percent of its natural gas from Russia.

The reaction of the U. S. and the E. U. must be harsh, either by a show of military power or crippling political and economic sanctions.  We are beyond diplomacy.  This is the only thing that will stop him, or Putin will continue to expand his reach into the west and re-establish the old Soviet Empire.  It seems apparent this is his goal.  The world must realize the Cold War never ended.