While there is no doubt there is a legacy link between Russia and the people living in the separatist Republics
The "legacy link" here is that there is over a century of contempt, aggression, persecution, starvation, forced relocation, rape, and murder by Russia against the people living in Ukraine.
or Russia's eye is on the natural resources and industry of the region
La raison d’aller à la guerre.
this confict is not the same as Hitler's wanton aggression.
Hitler invaded Ukraine for the expansion of territory, the vast farming, and for access to the Caucasian oil fields.
Putin Invaded Ukraine for the expansion of territory, the vast farming, and for access to Ukraine's oil and gas fields.
Kiev had eight years to settle this separation
False. From Day One, Russia created "the separation", and has interfered every step of the way. At no point in the last eight years has Ukraine been given the opportunity "to settle", especially considering the presence of Russian troops on Ukrainian soil.
But after Minsk II fell apart in 2015
Minsk II (as well as Minsk I) fell apart because of Russian interference. Minsk I because of Russia arming pro-Russian forces inside of Ukraine that violated the cease fire with the Donetsk Airport attack, and Minsk II because Russia sanctioned phony elections in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea that were in violation of Ukraine law. So let's at least be honest about the cause of the Minsk agreement collapse before using that as a premise. Russia, Russia, Russia.
Kiev gave up negotiating with the region
What is the point of negotiating with people that are incapable of keeping their word? Let's not forget that Russia was also a signatory to the Minsk agreements, but was already in violation of them before the ink was dry.
(as did the EU)
Ah yes, the EU. Let's not forget that Ukraine was already on track to join the EU, and it was Russia that sabotaged that by bribing Yanukovych in 2013. And let's not forget that it was the impeachment of Yanukovych that triggered Russia's 2014 invasion to begin with. Russia couldn't handle the fact that the Ukrainian people rejected their puppet leader, so they invaded Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk.
and settled into seven more years of a relentless military assault of the region ---- giving Russia the opening it needed to take action.
A lie. Russia had already been fully involved for over a year. The end of negotiations were because of Russian interference.
Had it not been for the Trump presidency, Russia would have moved sooner.
An admission from you that Russia has wanted to annex Ukraine from the beginning.
So after eight years, In February Putin formally recognized the independence from Kiev of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics --- and here we are.
In word, yes. But one thing we have learned over the past nine years is that Vladimir Putin is a lying POS. And in action, it is quite clear that Putin is not recognizing any independence for anyone in Ukraine. Donetsk is a wasteland, its people slaughtered or driven into exile, its cities leveled. And the so-called Donetsk 'Republic' [sic] now has a Russian leader hand-picked by Putin. Seriously.
So no, there is no independence for any territory occupied by Russia. These occupied territories are undergoing a cultural and ethnic genocide where Ukrainians are removed, to be replaced by new Russians, with their land annexed into Greater Russia.
I also doubt Putin wants Ukraine .... at least not this Ukraine.
Putin only wants Russia to expand, and for Ukraine to cease to exist.
I say this with some confidence since no one does, including the EU and NATO.
Ukrainians want Ukraine.
Ukraine is clearly considered immaterial
Hitler said the exact same thing. So did Stalin.
