Crimea referendum triggers worst crisis in East-West relations since the Cold War

What happens now to Ukrainian forces in Crimea is one of many unanswered questions, write Aleksandar Vasovic and Mike Collett-White.

Yesterday’s referendum has alarmed the ex-Soviet republic and triggered the worst crisis in East-West relations since the Cold War.

Thousands of Russian troops have taken control of the Black Sea peninsula, and Crimea’s pro-Russian leaders have sought to ensure the vote is tilted in Moscow’s favour.