Many of the "Ukrainians" voting in these elections are ethnic Russians specifically transplanted there in order to elect Russia's Running Dogs.
McCain is an effing jackass, but even a broken clock is right twice a day.
And if we are going back to the era of Stalin, then its just as valid to remember that the people of the EU did the same thing to Ukraine.
The answer of course, is to live in the now. Putin is not Stalin, and the EU is not Nazi. Both are far softer and modernized versions of their dark pasts. It wouldn’t hurt you to travel there.
The eastern and southern part of the country speaks Russian, and is culturally Russian and votes for Russo friendly candidates. The eastern half votes just as strongly for the candidates who love the EU. The Russo friendly voters have a slight edge normally. Don’t forget, Russian culture began in Kiev. Its a part of who they see themselves as. Laugh it off, but it’s real.
The answer there is that Ukraine should get a unique free trade status. Free trade with both, Russia and the EU. Make it to where the only way to trade between Russia and the EU tariff free would be to go through Ukraine.
After the abuse of Europe and Russia, Ukraine deserves better than being dominated by Russia OR the EU.
And such an agreement should forbid any expansion of the Russian navy base in Crimea, or any expansion of NATO into Ukraine. That is part of this calculus too. Russia doesn’t want NATO positioned 200 miles from Moscow, and the NATO EU crowd doesn’t have sense enough not to expand into those positions.