You are right. Ukraine has come a very long way since partition and has enormous potential. They have to move away from Russia
After the USSR broke up Deutsche Bank did an analysis of all the former republics and ranked Ukraine #1 in potential. Unfortunately, since they didn’t have a REAL revolution the same corrupt a##hats remained in charge and the corruption made it impossible for any outside companies to do business in the country, so they lost 20 years.
I don’t know much about this situation so please forgive me if my question is stupid. Why does Russia not want Ukraine to have independence, if that is what they are seeking?