Russia’s de facto annexation of Crimea is almost complete – the point of no return has been crossed. This past weekend, a dubious referendum was held under gunpoint, with an amusingly high 97% voting to separate from Ukraine and join Russia (Kim Jong-un’s 100% elections are brought to mind). As Russian troops threaten to reach further into Ukrainian territory, Western leaders are struggling with an commensurate response to the most brazen intra-state conflict in Europe since the Balkan War.

President Vladimir Putin has entered uncharted territory in terms of Russia’s isolation from the entire international community. On Monday, the United States and the European Union initiated a raft of sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes against dozens of senior Russian officials involved in the attack on Ukrainian sovereignty. The UN Security Council voted 13-1 in favor of adopting a resolution declaring the Crimean referendum as invalid.  China, which has traditionally taken Russia’s side on issues of “non-intervention” and “spheres of influence,” abstained from the vote. Moscow is literally left with no friends on this adventure.