AP--we talked here about being "suckered in"---if you really go back and reread the social media reporting of polls conducted during the initial separatist takeover and then in the following months--a large majority of the Donbas actually did not want to join Russia--AND the Ukrainian government knew that.
If one knows that now roughly 55% of those Donbas refugees "fleeing for protection to Russia" now "want" to return even with their homes destroyed and factories destroyed---it is just a further indicator that in reality they never did want to "join" Russia.
If then you look at the public interviews of Girkin the Russian initial leader who was kicked out by Russia---he often complained about the lack of support from the local population---there has never been more than 1-2K local fighters during this whole event.
If I know I cannot militay hold the Donbas--is not then a "suckering in" strategy a win win---I get massive sectorial sanctions on Putin which in the end weakens him politically--I get the global support for having Russians inside my country and I damage the Russian Army which in fact has occurred for all three points. And I get western aid in the rebuilding phase when all is said and done.
Then in the Minsk agreements I apply more pressure to those remaining behind to either choose me or the separatists by showing that a rebuild/reform can only go forward under the Ukrainian flag.
Ukrainian leadership knows over the long haul the local population will at some point kick out the separatists by either moving to the west and or physically stating enough is enough. And it does appear in interviews the local population that are still in Donetsk is getting the message and openly talking out against the separatists and are just now realizing how badly they fell for Russian propaganda in face of all the destruction in the "creation of New Russia".
These are the first indicators that the "suckering in policy" is in fact starting to work.
Dear civilization, we have arrived! #RUS terrorists in #Yesaulivka, #Ukraine brought back quitrent. Demand at least 10kg potatoes per house.
#Russia terrorist on #donbas : "90% r Rus citizens. Where are the locals?" #Ukraine
http://politikum.in.ua/post/3oct2014...ut-v-upor.html …
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