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                          A Pro-Russia Calm in Crimea

   by Elizabeth Arrott

   The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, on Monday
   strongly condemned Russia's military presence in the Crimea region of
   Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to arrive in
   Ukraine Tuesday after sharply criticizing Russia's behavior. Meanwhile,
   a certain pro-Russia calm has taken hold in Crimea itself.

   Neither of the dueling narratives about events in Crimea seem to have
   much resemblance to what's going on here.

   Moscow said it's beefed up its presence to protect ethnic Russians
   under attack by Ukrainian nationalists over language and politics --
   persecution it claims is orchestrated by the new pro-Western government
   in Kyiv.

   But on the streets of Simferopol, pro-Russia sentiment holds sway.
   Crimea's local parliament has clearly aligned itself with Moscow, and
   the only apparent threat is to some Ukrainian soldiers who'd been
   surrounded on their military bases.

   Even the mystery soldiers who put on a show of force for cameras
   outside parliament and at the regional airport last week have
   withdrawn.

   Politicians in Kyiv, however, have warned of imminent conflict between
   the Ukrainian and Russian militaries - including reported threats of
   ultimatums that Russia denies.

   But the will to fight by either party, at least here in Crimea, is
   questionable. The region, part of Ukraine but with long ties to Moscow,
   is common to both.

   And the soldiers themselves, despite the war of words between their
   leaders, appear to be showing remarkable restraint.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/a-pro-russia-calm-in-crimea/1863570.html