Sine, contrary to your moniker, you're not being rude I would like to elaborate.
I am not an expert in Ukrainian history having spent only two afternoons on Wikipedia.
But, from what I read the East didn't adopt a Fascist party or align with the Nazi's in the 40's, and didn't participate in the Anti-Semitic pogroms.
Thus the "usually sane". Maybe it's because they were always under Moscow's boot.
As for the comment on the west having "freedom", nobody in Ukraine has ever had freedom. Evan their free elections are usually corrupt, or, when not corrupt, lead to anti-republican power seizure by the winner.
It's a part of the world that's a LONG ways from Rule of Law. It always has been, and my always be "Rule by Man".
Like most of the rest of the world.
One word of advice, if you are a newcomer to the Ukraine threads (just an example, bear with me--I'm not suggesting that you are anything). Emotions tend to run high, because we do have some here who favor Russia over the U.S., and prefer to post Russian mis/disinformation just to rile everyone up.
Problem is when a conservative in the Buchanan-mold (again, not saying that you are) shows up, and notes that the Russian mis/disinformation dovetails with his opinions (and it's designed to be just that). He then, in turn, gets lumped-in with the Russians--even though the situation is foreign [pun intended] to him.