Let's not be naïve. There's no true struggle between Putin and Obama. It’s to the advantage of Putin and the US neo-con right to spew declarations of Russian victory. In reality, nothing is further from the truth. It should be self-evident (wink) that the deal is done. Russia won't interfere with the Ukraine moving towards alliances with the EU if Russia is able to keep economic and military control of Crimea (Crimea is vital to Russia's interests because it needs its access to the Black Sea).
The "West" clearly got the better end of the deal. The Russian sphere of influence has just been reduced by about 40,000,000 Ukrainian people and 200,000 Ukrainian square miles. Crimea was already under Russian economic and military control. What does it matter whether it's annexed to Russia? In practical terms, nothing in Crimea will change.
The annexation is clearly just a matter of the Putin government saving face. Putin can pound his chest if he wants. Russian flags will fly, the West can rail against his audacity, and the Russian people can be manipulated to cheer loudly. Fine.
