User blog comment:Local Mafia Boss/Crimea Crisis/@comment-5135653-20140302004152

I predict there will be a bunch of sabre rattling betwixt the United States and Russia with the EU and NATO backing. Eventually the situation will de-escalate and Russia will realize the situation is not favourable, an armed conflict could potentally  lead to eventual American and other European nations' involvement. That isn't even mentioning that China would not sit well with an agressive Russia as a neigbour. The situation is not a tenable situation and they will likely back down, the risks as opposed to benefits are much too great. Instead there will likely be a succession crisis. The Western side will remain and stay allied to Europe and NATO, whilst Russian held Crimea may leave to become a puppet state of the Ruskies.