Didn't Putin ban the election of Russia's governors? If it's good enough for Russia...
The Ukranians have to demonstrate that they have the will to defend themselves. If they’re not willing to fight for their own country then their pleas for Western assistance are going to fall on deaf ears. I’m sure they’re concerned about another Hungary or Czechoslovaki but they have to take that chance. The alternative is an eventual Russian annexation of half the country without a fight.