Donetsk, Kharkiv, declare independence from Ukraine.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

8. The Russians have no interest in allying with Eastern Ukraine.

The Russians want to skip the formalities and simply annex Eastern Ukraine so they can have it all for themselves.

And now, with the Ukrainian government at its weakest, it is the Russians' best chance to do so. So what we see is not unexpected, although it is clearly wrong.

They are seriously overplaying their hands though with these Eastern Ukrainian cities, assuming that just because many of the citizens speak Russian that their loyalties will go to Russia. The fact of the matter is that most of them consider themselves ethnic Ukrainians regardless of the language issue (many of them having no choice but to be raised speaking Russian due to Soviet dominance). But that's Russia's lesson to be learned.

And regarding Crimea, Crimea was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR during the Soviet era. Moscow controlled everything, so Crimea falling under the Ukrainian SSR was of little consequence at that time. When the USSR broke apart, Crimea remained under Ukrainian control under its natural borders, although semi-autonomously so. And while there was talk of full independence, the notion of Crimea being annexed and absorbed into Russia didn't arise until the change in power in Kiev. Which again clearly demonstrates Russian subterfuge.