Eastern and Southern Ukraine have been polled multiple times, the most recent in February or March, and they always come back the same. Ethnic Russians, who also took part in the Maidan protests, do not, as a majority, support annexation or federalization. Only a small minority does. There is no popular support for the Russian rent-a-mobs.
I’ve seen those results. Most Ukrainians including ethnic Russians do not want Putler in charge.
Eastern and Southern Ukraine have been polled multiple times, the most recent in February or March, and they always come back the same. Ethnic Russians, who also took part in the Maidan protests, do not, as a majority, support annexation or federalization. Only a small minority does. There is no popular support for the Russian rent-a-mobs
This is exactly correct and why Putin doesn’t want free elections in E. Ukraine on May 25. I think it is instructive that there is no E. Ukrainian maidan. The Russians tried to astroturf one in Slavyansk and it has turned into a tragicomedy Al Qaeda in Ukraine drama.
It’s becoming clear there is no popular revolution in E. Ukraine. Putin only owns the oligarchs and police there who are interested in continuing their kleptocracy. Outside of a small minority in E. Ukraine the people want no part of his thug regime.
That really leaves invasion as Putin’s only option. I expect we will see Russian Army “peacekeepers” appearing at checkpoints in Ukraine shortly after the separatist vote on May 11. If the Ukrainians resist, Putin will bomb Kiev.