Crimea Issue

        Because of the amount of protests happening in Moscow this weekend we did not go far off from the university, but I did talk with some Russians about what they think about the situation in Ukraine. Many of them have a neutral view towards Crimea becoming a part of Russia again and do not really care whether or not it is annexed because it is so far away. It also seems very likely that Crimea will choose to rejoin Russia rather than stay as a part of Ukraine with more autonomy, according to the Russians.
        This entire issue seems to have been divided into two major problems by the media, one of which not getting as much coverage as the other by Western media. The West is focusing much more on the legal act of Crimea choosing to hold a referendum while the main issue here centers around the lack of voice being given to those opposing the annexation of Crimea. I feel that this is as equally if not more important in this entire ordeal as any group should be able to choose their own fate and the way this situation is being handled by both the governments of Ukraine and Russia is stifling the voices of both those who do and do not want to join Russia. I think that if there is any lesson to be learned from all of this by the international community it is to not take something by force as protestors are in Ukraine, and not to push for Crimean-Ukrainian dependence simply because the West did not like the previous president so anything else is a step-up.