Russia finds itself in bitter stand - off with Ukraine over Ukraine status , new status of Crimea . Vladimir Putin made it clear that Crimea was going to remain Russian , says Alexander Nekrassov . Nekrassov : Kremlin seems to have no taste for drastic economic changes . Sanctions and high oil prices yet to be accepted by most Russians , so Putin still popular - Nekrassov .
Russia finds itself in bitter stand-off with West over Ukraine crisis , new status of Crimea . President Putin made it clear that Crimea was going to remain Russian , says Alexander Nekrassov . Nekrassov : Kremlin appears to have no taste for drastic economic measures . Sanctions and falling oil prices yet to be felt by most Russians , so Putin still popular - Nekrassov .