Ukraine (Socialist Progressives Group)

[joshcryer]

13. Svoboda has about as much sway as the Communist Party.

I'm fine with whatever source, but I think that such a break up of states is historically a disaster, especially if people have mostly been getting along for decades. You'll note that both parties are nationalist in nature, though one is Ukraine nationalist and the other is Russia nationalist (which is odd for a party that is inherently Ukrainian). They also appear to be polar opposites, with Svoboda claiming to be anti-communism and the Communist Party, naturally, being anti-capitalist.

I think Russia, EU, the US, all want a piece of whatever they can get of Ukraine, and I think that falling for those attempts has potential to weaken the country as a whole, at the cost of many lives. I think Russia, EU, the US all use varying name calling to define which sides. "Putin patsies" for the east and south east, "fascists" for the west and central areas. I think this is counterproductive when the parties that represent those concepts have little power overall, especially when Svoboda got less votes than even the Communist Party last time (though both made gains which is typical in polarizing environments, with the black and white left-white view of politics).

The Party of Regions is pro-Russia and got the most votes, but I wouldn't expect them to vote to break the country up. I think that would be unconstitutional, actually.