I don't know about the Ukrainian opposition but Putin is pretty evil. And many people who live in countries that used to be a part of the eastern block understand very well why you do not want to find yourself in Kremlin's orbit.
Since when Putin has became an euphemism for Russia? Why don't everyone simply say 'Russians are evil'?
Because ~65% of Russians voted for Putin, and they did it three times. He is very popular. Not difficult to see why. Since he came to power their GDP per capita (PPP-adjusted) almost doubled, law and order improved, corruption went down. And more Russians are being born than die, so the population decline is reversed.
For all his populism, Putin's economic policies have been very shrewd - Russia paid out its foreign debt and has currently some of the largest foreign currency reserves, and one of the lowest tax rates in the world.
As to the efforts to present Putin as some evil thug, throwing journalists to gulags etc. - this is just laughable. The best example are Pussy Riot. When the best anti-Putin propaganda can do is to call a punk-group who insults religious minorities a victim of political prosecution... Well, probably, Russians have to conclude that there are no real issues with freedom of speech in their country!
It's perfectly fine not to like Russians improving their life and enjoying a stronger country. But don't blame poor Putin for that. He is simply an elected official, it's just that Russians have been lucky to find a capable one.
What really troubles me about Putin is that he and his government is way ineffective. There are no brave people, only loyal. Their money are in the west banks, as are their safe retreats.
And what is much more troubling - almost every country with powerful ruling class is like that. As people say "паны дерутся, а у хлопцев чубы трещат" (=when those in power, the superiors, are in conflict, it is the common people, the subordinates, who suffer). And curse those Ukrainian officials who let it escalate to this.
Because contrary to popular opinion, Putin is not a dictator or supreme master of the Russia.
There are several power centers in Russia and Putin has to tread carefully with them. There are entire blocks of government that are not doing what they are supposed to do, and forcing them directly is not going to work without upsetting their cover up the food chain.
Just like you said, it is the same in every country with powerful ruling class.
People from Western Ukraine in Kiev and police are shooting at each other. How is that Putin's and Kremlin's fault?
You say you don't know Ukrainian opposition. They are from West of Ukraine. West of Ukraine is notorious for their hatred of Jews and Russians. Hating Jews is not fashionable these days, but there is an open season on Russians. People from West of Ukraine love killing Russians, they don't miss any opportunity, like conflict in Chechnya, where Ukrainians took an active part fighting alongside with Chechens against Russia. West of Ukraine considers East of Ukraine as (1) cattle, (2) slaves and (3) just like Russians but worse. To no surprise, West of Ukraine didn't hesitate to pick up arms and start shooting. They are very passionate bunch. Just watch what will happen when they win (and they will). Central Ukraine will be a blood bath where people will be shot dead for just speaking Russian.
You say you don't know Ukrainian opposition. They are from West of Ukraine.
I'm from Poland. I don't know about the current opposition, I'm aware of Ukrainian nationalists and their history[1]. But for the same reason I also fully sympathize with people who do not want to be in the Russian sphere of influence. It's terrible.
Putin is a thug whose regime murders journalists and sends opposition politicians to gulags. As I said, pretty evil. And not hypothetically, perhaps in the future, once he takes over, but really, here and now[2].
Russian empire has always been like that. Behind. And holding back those who were unfortunate to be nearby, too.
what are you talking about there are plenty eastern uki, russian speaking ukis in the right sector, the nazi is group is very small and its effect is overblown, why is no one talking about the government sponsored thugs fighting together with the police? why dont you speak about the criminals from kharkov(where im from) donetsk, and other regions which beat and hurt innocent people? 100 people were killed today by snipers and you talk some stupid shit you hear on russian media. every region in ukraine is against yanukovich the only difference is the eastern ones are more repressed, in kharkov you cannot do anything, thugs are blatantly fighting with the riot police, please explain this to me.
I don't like Yanukovitch, he is a greedy asshole. Thugs from East are disgusting. Right Sector is alright, but they are being used and soon will become irrelevant and ousted by nationalists.
