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Without getting into the merits of other arguments on this thread, I want to mention that the people in the colored ethnic map in the Carpathian region (extreme westernmost area) have for centuries not had anything to do with what they think of as Ukrainian separatism, but instead always identified with "Rus" as a general heritage of all in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, etc. and specifically the Russian state as possible salvation from Austro-Hungarian control. The most common historical name is Carpatho-Russian (-russkij) as the adjective, and Rusin (not Rusyn) as the noun form, with another local variant of self-identification being Rusnak.

They voted in 1991 by 80% to have as much autonomy from the central Ukrainian government as is possible if independence isn't achievable(and would have preferred a return to the Czechoslovakia from which Stalin stole the territory in 1945). I personally know this area and just visited recently.

Given a choice between Russian language and Ukrainian language they much prefer Russian, but that has been officially suppressed since 1945 by the central government in Kiev. There is much propaganda that will deny the truth of this, but self-determination should be a two-way street.

Thanks for your perspective. It is interesting to note that despite the passage of hundreds of years, there are tribal roots that endure. It makes you wonder about the wisdom of multiculturalism and diversity. America is not immune from those same tribal feelings.