After the unprecedented expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats from a number of countries in the civilized world, from Australia to Canada, after the withdrawal of ambassadors from Russia by other countries, after even the most distant from the politicians it became clear to the Russians that their country is becoming a global outcast, in Russian media and social networks, the question often arises: "Are they really punishing us for the Crimea"? - writes on the portal of Radio Liberty journalist Vitaly Portnikov.

This question contrasts with the sentiment prevailing in Russian society in the tragic days of the occupation and annexation of the Crimea. Then prevailed the view that the West will quickly calm down, and Ukraine recognizes that "our Crimea" - where will it go? Remember this arrogant and self-satisfied "do not make my Iskander" laugh? I want to ask the owners of this valuable arsenal: and that the Iskander? Have laughed?.

Of course, this is no punishment for the Crimea. This gesture of anger after, as Britain believes, the Russian chemical attack in Salisbury. This is a response to Russia's interference in the electoral processes in Western countries. On the actions of the Kremlin in Syria. To the war in Donbass. But it all began in the Crimea.

Some may say that the film needs to be rewound to a much earlier stage - for example, at the beginning of the war against Georgia. Yes, it was a shameful war, which was accompanied by disgusting ethnic cleansing. But the annexation of the Crimea was accompanied by an absolutely unprecedented act of Vladimir Putin. For the first time since the Second World War, one state annexed the occupied territory of another. It was not like Abkhazia, South Ossetia, nor Northern Cyprus, nor Kosovo, nor Nagorno-Karabakh.

A weak analogy is seen with the annexation of East Timor by Indonesia - but East Timor was not an integral part of the territory of Portugal, but its overseas possession, to which the metropolis was going to grant independence.

With this "Crimean operation" Putin crossed all the red lines that could only be crossed. And all subsequent Russian policy is a consequence of this transition, this dizziness of success, this naive belief that after the Crimea everything is possible.

It turned out that not all.

Russia has fallen into an obvious diplomatic impasse - and even those who still believe that not today, tomorrow the West will agree with the Kremlin and share peace with it.

But this does not mean that there is no way out of the impasse. The way out is a rejection of foreign policy adventures, from destabilizing the civilized world, from bullying Ukraine and its citizens, from supporting the dictatorship in Syria. And the rejection of the Crimea. This, as they say, is not even discussed. I'm sure, sooner or later the film will have to be rewound back - to the black day of annexation.