Ukraine voted for independence in 1991, just like a lot of former parts of the Soviet Union/the Russian Empire. Such an independence referendum has been the gold standard of national legitimacy since 1919.
This is not “surrender Ukraine to the West”. Ukraine (or a Ukrainian majority) wanted to join the EU, just as almost all of Eastern Europe has done, to their great benefit. Recall that the 2014 controversy began with EU membership. Russia didn’t want that for Ukraine, Putin wanted Ukraine in its own economic system.
What has been happening since is that Russia (really, the Putin regime) has been trying to bring Ukraine under Russian domination all over again. Russia has tried to do this with other states that broke off, arguably succeeding best with Belorussia. They have had an aggressive stance vs Ukraine for at least two decades.
You are implying a secret cabal.
I’m not to sit here and argue with you over the lies you tell.
You’re just another Zeeper.
1st paragraph, so what.
2nd paragraph, 2014 “controversy” was a coup that began in 2008.
3rd paragraph, BS, Russia offered peace for Ukraine’s neutrality.
Go back to sleep, Rip Van Winkle.