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Donbas was part of Ukraine for 25% of Ukraines history (92 years out of 367)
Almost a century and only now they are complaining about being "treated badly"? Those Russians should have opposed the incorporation into Ukraine immediately after the USSR fell and either unified with Russia proper or became independent countries.
And then there's the issue that they may have been placed there as forward settlers to begin with. I haven't looked up the exact locations but I've read that both the czars and the Soviets has systematically settled Russians into areas of Ukraine (usually after depopulation). If these majority Russian areas are those same areas, then it really paid dividends for Russia.
Also, moving borders to historic heights is a touchy topic. Many modern countries like Egypt, Poland, UK, Spain and Turkey would be far bigger if they insist on their max extent.
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.
Perhaps, but neither strategy is easy. The President before Zelenskky was a pro-Russia type leader that was essentially ousted who now lives in exile. Whatever coup Putin could devise would probably be shut down by the West before it could come to fruition. (Though seeing as NATO has done little to intervene in the invasion, maybe I could be wrong about that).
Yes, I remember that president that was removed for being too pro-Russia. We haven't seen Putin try another regime change before the invasion though.
The Ukrainians could have played it a bit slower about the whole NATO membership thing but I guess they were overcompensating for the previous regime's excessively pro-Russia policies.