Quote Originally Posted by Hanna View Post
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Seems to me the area is big enough and has enough resources to go it alone. It's larger than Benelux and has more people than lots of EU countries. They could form alliances with whoever they want - trade agreements, custom unions or whatever. ...
imho that can never work - not because they are not capable or do not have the resources - but because of the historical context of Ukraine within the Soviet Union and its geographical location as a buffer zone to Russia's west (or south west). The bottom line is Russia does not want a Ukraine (in particular East-ukraine) that aligns itself with Nato/Europe. Now imagine this little independent 'go-it-alone' East Ukraine in 15 years decides to align trade agreements and allegiances etc with the West. Do you think Russia will be happy and alow it to happen? The answer is no. Equally so trouble would arise is Minsk one day decides to orientate itself towards Europe. And I am not blaming Russia. Fact is they do not want Nato in what they perceive to be their own backyard (and partly have some - at least emotional - claim to what they perceive was originally theirs). Hence, it is quite clear that any independent little state (such as an independent east-ukraine) would constantly be bullied by both east and west to conform to their respective whims.