AmericanPride, Eastern Ukrainians lost their "feet" after Yanukovich Party of regions lost their position. If you follow my text, then they you see that they don't support also joining Russia. Then there must be third solution to their problems.

I didn't say the same strategy like in Crimea. I said that the new ambition was purely too big piece to use exactly the same methods and means. If you follow Russia's problems in Crimea, then you can see that exactly same model is hard to use. There may not be resources.

Donetsk referendum. They didn't back up the referendum by Kremlin statements, but they provided PR specialists, weapons, cossacks, money etc. At that moment for example even EU started to move his feet. Threat of sanctions was connected with for example not spoiling presidential elections in the end of May.

I agree with you last points about Russia's aims. This is minimum program for them.