>>>I’ll have to disagree. A unique language and culture define a nation. Ukrainian is not the same as Ebonics.<<<
Indeed, language and culture doesn’t make a nation-state.
“..language and culture does not make a nation- state”.
Says who? They have a much greater right to be a nation state than any Latin American country where they all speak Spanish and every one is Juan Gomez and Jose Rodriguez. Or any Arab country which again speaks the same language and has virtually the same culture.
If people see themselves as a separate nation and feel united as one by language, culture, descent, etc., then they are. They are the ones who decide.
And in Eastern Europe in particular, nationalism has always been based on language and culture ( as well as ethnic descent).