You say eastern+southern Ukraine was Russian before the revolution, subjected to Ukrainization thanks to SU, but now its Russians roots are still strong. I say it was Ukrainian before the revolution, Russified during SU, that's why they're Sovki/pro-Russian now. I'm right, you're wrong. ==
I think opposite to your conclusion:).
I do agree, let's see how it'll be in 20 years. I suspect the longer Russia and Ukraine are separate, the more this portion of the Ukrainian population will view RF as foreign. ===
I don't think so. If you remember our mutual history from Kiev Rus to today. Then you may recall few periods when Moscow's Rus and what we call now "ukraine" (border land) was separate then united again then now separate.
But accually I see no problems here. Germany and Austria live separate now but they both germanic nations and during history they was togethre and separate time to time.
So Russia, Ukraine and Bellorus may live separate now and I think each of us better to live by thier own households. At least russians want to live now by thier own household.
But they all are Rus's nations came from one root like 2 branches on one tree and alwyas will be.
They no more foreign to each other then Germany to Austria. DO you agree?