The invasion of Crimea has virtually undone all the good will Russian President Vladimir Putin put into the Winter Olympics. That's according to U. S. Senator Dick Durbin. Speaking in Normal, Durbin said Putin spent $51 billion on the Olympics, only to see the investment wither away in a matter of days.
"By invading Crimea, putting thousands of troops there and threatening the existence of this part of Ukraine. So, if he wants to get on the path of respectability, he better start lessening the aggression in Crimea."
Durbin says he expects economic sanctions against Russia will be successful and no US troops will ultimately be involved in the dispute. Durbin says the latest episode with Ukraine is part of a long-term process aimed stabilizing Russia's presence on the global stage.