[rexthecat]

“Russia has explained repeatedly it has one core concern — Ukraine being admitted into the NATO military alliance.”

Putin has said, "Eastern Ukraine is Russia." In many ways he is right. The people in the eastern half of Ukraine speak Russian, not Ukrainian. And they identify with Russia, not Ukraine.

[dfwgator]

I think Ukrainian vs Russian in Ukraine, is like Gaelic vs English in Ireland.

Sure, nationalistic types will proclaim publicly preferring to speak Ukrainian over Russian, but privately, they probably do speak much more in Russian than Ukrainian.

[alternatives?]

I guess a question might be is how many Russians were moved into those sections after WW 2 to replace all the Ukrainians they starved in the 30’s.

[Elsie]

A lot of people in the eastern half of the USA ‘speak’ liberal.

I do NOT want them influencing the rest of the country!

[ifinnegan]

“Putin has said, “Eastern Ukraine is Russia.” In many ways he is right.”

And therefore in many ways he is wrong,mwoukdnt you say?

“The people in the eastern half of Ukraine speak Russian, not Ukrainian. And they identify with Russia, not Ukraine.”

And you think this means or proves that Russia can attack and murder them? Odd logic.