The reaction comes after President Obama signed an executive order on Friday slapping economic sanctions on Crimea, a day after the EU approved similar measures.
Russia's annexation of Crimea is reshaping the lives of residents throughout the peninsula. Some find comfort in Russian rule, while others equate Moscow's control with intimidation and persecution.
Morning Edition Host David Greene recently returned from a reporting trip to Crimea and responds to questions on Reddit about how the Black Sea peninsula has changed since it was seized by Russia.
Russia's takeover of Crimea extends from the flags over government buildings to passports to the labels on wine bottles. Despite the international criticism, many Crimeans are happy to rejoin Moscow.
Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, tells NPR that U.S. decision-makers were given a week's notice that some Russian action was likely.