Russia's War Against Ukraine
OP-ED
Halya Coynash: Putin’s referendum win
While western leaders make noises similar to those over the Crimean referendum two months ago, Russian media are presenting the May 11 pseudo-referendum as fair and legitimate, the Kyiv government as murderous and the west as collaborating with fascists.
It was all for the cameras on Sunday. EU countries got a chance to condemn a farcical pseudo-referendum in which people could “vote” for others, and not living in the region was no impediment. They could even sound firm while doing nothing more than threatening more sanctions if the May 25 elections cannot be held.