Interesting point of view, but I can tell you're from the US.

I'm from the Czech Republic, in Central Europe. We have a history that began in the 9th century after Christ. But we have always belong into some huge state entity. We became independent only in 1918.

In 1968, the Soviets arrived unexpectedly with their military, declaring that we belonged to them.

This is how Russia functions. They claim; they do not ask. This is why in Central Europe, in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, or Hungary, not many people like the Russian state.

We have no problem with Russian people; we are talking about the imperial ambitions of the Russian state.

In Ukraine, it is the same. They were independent, and they have a right to be.

At one point in my life, I had a Ukrainian girlfriend, and I can say, they hate Russia with all their heart.