I'm no expert either, and I hope and pray that the situation resolves itself and that 'the best man' becomes president. Too bad he wasn't running.
But a question for you: why does it matter if Russia looks out for its interests in the Ukraine? When George Soros, Jacques Chiraq, the EU and UN all support someone, I'm inclined to lean the other direction.
Myself, as an American I'm PO-ed at Putin for North Korea, Iran and Iraq. I've translated anti-Putin articles here from Anna Politskovskaya, and helped set up the anti-Putin web pages for the Burbans at nordostjustice.org.
As a former analyst, I believe that all data needs to be evaluated.
This is why I can converse in a friendly fashion with both Tapthesource and Marmema. Even in the same thread ;-)
Personally, I can understand where Russia is coming from on this. Ukraine is too close to home to allow instability. It's their Mexico, except that ten million ethnic Russians (try) to live there, in the Ukraine's most depressed territories.
My worry about Russia moving on the Ukraine is that China will 'misunderestimate' this to mean that they have a green light in Taiwan.
What I am trying to do, half a world away, is to understand the situation better, having an interest in the Ukraine above other nations in Europe, because we have been there and have friends there. Haven't been to those other places, don't love those other people like we love the Ukrainians we have come to know.
You say there is no difference between either candidate, and that is why (I am assuming) you slammed me for expressing an opinion after only posting here for four weeks. While mentioning (a la btw I served in Vietnam) to everyone else, and me too, why you were the expert on affairs in the Ukraine. Expert status acknowledged, and deferred to.
Can you answer the question: If neither of these men will make one bit of difference, then why are one million people in Kiev protesting the election? I am not asking this to be a smart ass, but because I really don't understand why people are so fired up if the results don't matter.
I will be happy to answer your question (I am no expert either) as soon as you answer mine. If you don't know, fine, you can say that. Or if you have an informed opinion, I will take that for what's its worth, not as gospel, of course, so no worries.