Yep, Mr. Putin could have demanded a referendum for those parts. He probably would not have got it immediately, but with sustained political pressure and time, this might have happened.

The referendum after the invasion was not credible.

There was a time Donetsk and Luhansk when they would have willingly joined Russia. Since 2014, I think these people have changed their mind. Having Russian soldiers stationed in your home town is not a good thing, even for Russian speakers.

Crimea is probably still solidly pro-Russia. But without a supply of fresh water . . .

Thanks for being a great fan. But that is not going to build a new democracy. Here is what we need to do to move forward:

https://medium.com/p/78778c87819e

My articles seldom get 20 views. Medium readers prefer Umair because they can blame the other side for being "less than human." They don't like my message that "we have to get work."