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> though the majority in both regions oppose secession. They held a referendum.[1] > Over the weekend, citizens in two east Ukrainian regions overwhelmingly v

by sinyug 5y ago

> though the majority in both regions oppose secession. They held a referendum.[1] > Over the weekend, citizens in two east Ukrainian regions overwhelmingly voted to become independent in a referendum that only the Kremlin seems to be on board with. Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk report that 89 percent and 96 percent, respectively, said they wanted to break free of Kiev's authority. You may not like the results and might have issues with the process, but to claim that the majority oppose secession is a joke. No country in the world will tolerate secessionist sentiment in any part of it and will prevent it with all its might. If it has the ability. In this case, Ukraine doesn't. [1] Referendum on Self-Rule in Ukraine 'Passes' with Over 90% of the Vote (https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070829/http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/05/referendum-on-self-rule-in-ukraine-passes-with-over-90-of-the-vote/362062/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070829/http://www.thewir...)

dragonwriter 5y ago
> You may not like the results and might have issues with the process The issues with the process include (among many other issues) the fact that the borders that the separatists claim and to which they claim these referenda apply (and whose borders have been recognized by Russia, though given the decapitation strike Russia is making on Ukraine, that’s less important than it would otherwise be) are much larger than the areas they actually controlled at the time and conducted them in.
gehatare 5y ago
How does this show anything? Yeah, if after years and years of low level war and displacement of political enemies and being de facto controlled by Russian troops you hold a referendum that is boycotted by all but the separatists, of course the separatists will win! But that is so far from any valid referendum that accepting it as such seems dubious at best.

by sinyug 5y ago

dragonwriter 5y ago

> You may not like the results and might have issues with the process The issues with the process include (among many other issues) the fact that the borders that the separatists claim and to which they claim these referenda apply (and whose borders have been recognized by Russia, though given the decapitation strike Russia is making on Ukraine, that’s less important than it would otherwise be) are much larger than the areas they actually controlled at the time and conducted them in.

gehatare 5y ago

How does this show anything? Yeah, if after years and years of low level war and displacement of political enemies and being de facto controlled by Russian troops you hold a referendum that is boycotted by all but the separatists, of course the separatists will win! But that is so far from any valid referendum that accepting it as such seems dubious at best.