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In reply to the discussion: Ukraine launches offensive in east, vows to rid country of 'parasites'. [View all]Tommy_Carcetti
(43,235 posts)Do the separatists then lay down their own weapons, leave the government buildings they took over, and seek some sort of political dialogue with Kyiv on decentralization measures?
Does the DNR and LNR (or "Novorossiya" with their little Confederate Battle Flag of theirs) continue on as independent nations, and could they even maintain themselves as independent nation(s)?
Does DNR/LNR appeal to Russia for annexation a la Crimea, as what is the stated goal of DNR/LNR leaders (but not the opinion of the majority of the population)?
Or does the region continue in its Mad Max-esqe dystopian chaos with rogue, unelected figures calling the shots and rampant crime and disorder amongst the people?
The problem is, the people in charge in that region aren't the most reputable of folks. You've got (actual) fascist Russian nationalists (Gubarev), criminals (Pushlin), "former" Russian FSB (Borodai, Girkin), and whatever the hell Bolotov is. So what exactly happens if these guys "win"? Can we ever expect any reasonable, rational behavior from these guys?
Contrary to what you might claim, this isn't some unilateral act of aggression against peace loving people by the Ukrainian government here. This is military vs. well-armed and equipped paramilitary. The seperatists had no interest in abiding by any cease fire. So what happens with a total withdraw of Ukrainian forces?