A thread particularly focussed on the events in Eastern Ukraine after EuroMaidan and the change of government in Kiev.

I am totally confused and can't determine what's fact, what's hype, what's wishful thinking and what's lies.

I don't trust any Western media and I don't fully trust Russian news on this either...

Some questions:
—What is the mothertongue of most people in Eastern Ukraine, i.e. Donetsk, Kharkov, Lugansk.
—Can they speak the other language and how hard is it - is it a sensitive issue / big deal?
Are there people there who actually regard themselves as Russian, like people in Crimea? Or do they regard themselves as Ukrainians with Russian as mothertongue?
—How can Kiev satisfy the demands of the protesters in Donetsk and is it necessary?
—What exactly are the goals of the protesters in Eastern Ukraine?
—Are they really being discriminated or are they just exaggerating?
—Why are they so against the new government and the change, what exactly is it they fear?
—How many are happy to be Ukrainians ans how many are hoping of a repetition of Crimea?
—Can Putin be trusted when he says that Russia will never enter Eastern Ukraine?
—What is the economic situation for people in Eastern Ukraine. Are most OK, or really struggling to cope?