TankieTanuki

Skepticism of the referendum is warranted.

Ignore it.

Let's look at a poll done by a Western organization which clearly does not favor Russia. Take, for example, the very Pew Research poll from the "further reading" section of your AI's answer:

Crimea supports secession

They can't spin it any other way, even in an article intended to manufacture support for Ukrainian unity. That's because every poll of Crimeans following the Maidan coup has produced the same result.

Western liberals support self-determination only when it suits their interests.

Insane and dangerous Cold War drivel. The UK has escalated the conflict at every step.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies CSIS lists major funding from defense contractors such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Raytheon Company and General Atomics. [Wikipedia]

"Weapons salesmen says more weapons are desperately needed."

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