What a contradiction Ukraine is..I feel for them in that their democratic rights are being violated and the referendum must be illegal but where are the demonstrators protesting in the streets in Crimea that we saw in Kiev..the world is outraged and yet their citizens seem happy to join Russia..the whole situation could be catalyst to war and I am wondering why?..are the troops that much of a threat? Do they really want to stay with Ukraine? Are their extenuating circumstances here or will Russia continue with their invasion to take all Ukraine? If they do then we have a real problem.

I was just hearing on the news that the turnout for the referendum in Crimea was over 80% and the vote in favour of closer alignment with Russia was around 92%.

I know nothing of the situation on the ground beyond what I hear and read but with no evidence of coercion, seems like democracy in action.

Are Russian positions on Ukraine and Crimea legal?
NO! Definitely not!
If there were no Russian troops, and plain clothed but masked pro russian or russian activists, patrolling the streets!
If there were no obvious duress, or Putin sabre rattling and Russian planes filling the skies, and russian tanks etc, doing "military exercises" on the ukraine border!
If there were no extra Russian military ships moving in and out of Crimea's warm water port!
If the crimea weren't already effectively occupied and Ukrainian troops self evidently confined to barracks, and their military equipment effectively confiscated!
If international inspectors were invited, and Ukraine allowed it?
And if the question had a refusal option as well, perhaps?
Rhrosty.

One wonders what parallel universe the author of this article (and Rhrosty) are occupying. Is he totally unaware of the history of the Ukraine, and how the Crimea and indeed most of its eastern and southern provinces were added by Stalin and later Khrushchev?

Is he to totally unaware of the fascist coup that took place in Kiev replacing a duly elected government with a bunch of right wing thugs now being feted in Washington (who organised the coup).

Does he have any insight at all as to how Washington uses its Gladio techniques to regularly undermine governments who refuse to tow its particular line. It is a very long list, and as John Pilger's latest article argues, clearly includes Australia.

Does the author (and Rhrosty) know that there were independent international observers in Crimea for the referendum and that they reported that the voting was conducted in an atmosphere free of intimidation and repression.

What part of 93% in favour of seceding from Ukraine does he not understand? And to pretend that the Kosovo secession from Serbia was legitimate and this was not is ignorant beyond belief.

There appears to be no limits to western attempts to demonise Putin and sadly OLO is no better.

It was Russian territory it was given to the Ukraine by Lenin or Stalin.

So they are just going back to where they were.

If the Russians are satisfied with only taking over Crimea this is predictable and maybe justified.

However if Russia attempts to use the same tactics to take over eastern Ukraine then this is aggression. Those who would support Russia in that are latter day Appeasers - oddly impressed with the righteousness of the Russian Army...