Putin doesn't need to win the hearts and minds of the Ukrainian people. He will install a government that is pro-Russia. So the Ukrainian people will pledge loyalty to a puppet government, not him.
He should have just done this instead of invading, imho. Much more cost effective, like how he's propping that guy in Belarus. Just orchestrate a coup to get rid of Zelinsky and help install a more friendly president.
The invasion stirred nationalist sentiments in Ukraine and even if Putin do get rid of the Zelinsky administration, whatever government he's going to plop down is not going to be viewed as legitimate and would be constantly threatened by coups and rebellion.
well then at least the russian parts of ukraine should have their own government
whats the point if estonians and latvians are allowed to declare independence from russians but russians are not allowed to declare independence from them.
nationalist autonomy for all, thats liberty and freedom but the usa is surpressing it.
Why are those areas of Ukraine majority Russian though? IMHO they should have just traded people across those borders like India and Pakistan did (preferably less violently).
Map shows at what date a particular area was given to Ukraine.
Donbas was part of Ukraine for 25% of Ukraines history (92 years out of 367)
If your argument is that Ukraine is 1142 old than Donbas region was 8% part of Ukraine
Donbas the two break away areas of Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's, a part of what Lenin gave away for personal gains.
