Today, the referendum took place in Crimea. Crimeans
(although many, including groups of Crimean Tatars boycotted) ‘voted’. The freedom of the vote is a matter of debate,
especially given the 21,000
Russian troops who with their guns are trying to prove the legality of the
referendum. The referendum also offered
no option that would maintain Crimea’s current status of limited autonomy from
the Ukrainian government. Some
noted that the polls felt like ‘Soviet-style’ elections: a festive atmosphere
with music, decorations, baked goods and childrens’ events.
As has been noted by many throughout the past weeks,
the outcome of the referendum was already known. People celebrated a victorious
‘reunion with mother Russia’ into the night in Simferopol and other Crimean
cities.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s
government has begun real preparations for war. A law allowing for the
formation of a National Guard
(to consist primarily of former Maidan Self-Defense forces) was passed, troop movements and training has
intensified, and mass mobilization of
reserves is set to begin this week.
Fear, tension and uncertainty
continues, with many throughout Ukraine and Crimea voicing real concern that
more blood will be shed from people asking for peace.
And what are the consequences
of this referendum? What is Putin after? For this, I include excerpts from an
update from Mychailo Wynnyckyj, Professor Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, who is in Kyiv
and is involved in ongoing discussions and meetings:
A war between the two countries has already
begun (whether the Ukrainians shot or not), and it
will not end until “Maidan” as a concept (i.e.
embodying direct democracy, people-power, and a western values orientation) is destroyed. Putin is determined
to destroy Ukraine, and to correct what he sees as the grave historical mistake of 1991 (i.e. Ukrainian
independence). ...
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