Even it might not be among the most democratic countries in the world, I think Russia has been showing signs that indicate that it is giving a strong value on public opinion. Worldwide mainstream media is not inclined to analize political expectations in relation to sporting events but it is obvious they play a decisive role due to the impact they have on people’s emotional focus. It may seem little plausible for some that such a serious geo-political movement sets its course of action based on a soccer match, but this would make a lot of sense from the perspective of internal national feeling.

The Crimea situation has proven to be very useful for the Russian government for two main reasons. It has helped to convince the Russian population that the USA and Europe, usually labeled as ‘the West’ have no credibility when they speak on bahalf of the international community and international law, when in fact they are acting in accordance to their own interest, and against the interest of Russia. There is an intense aversion to the role the USA is playing in Ukraine, and this sets a position where any action that goes against the desires of the west can be expected to satisfy in some degree the russians.

On the other hand, the weak reaction from the USA and specially from the german-dominated EU, that has a strong dependence on russian gas imports, with a series of practically comical sanctions, has shown there is little to be afraid of if there is to be an intervenion that surpasses the tolerance limits of the ‘international community’. It seems that one side has little to lose and a lot to gain and the other side has a lot to lose and not so much to gain, unwilling thus to give a fight. The reluctance of the Obama administration and from the not so united european union to use any open to the eyes of public military force may be also a factor speaking in favor an hypothetical near intervention.