A Free Ukraine?

Western governments led by the United States are trying to dominate the Ukraine. Russia is trying to preserve the safety and rights of ethnic Russians in the Ukraine. Putin may have some territorial ambition beyond protecting Russians in the Ukraine. A free and fair plebiscite allowing those living in the Ukraine to vote on whether they want closer ties to Moscow or Western Europe might stave off further bloodshed. There is no way that either those interfering from the West or from Moscow would allow such a free and fair election to take place. Neither side in the Ukraine conflict has clean hands (as is almost always the case when wars are starting). The side that ultimately prevails in Ukraine will be that side that uses the most force. I believe that victor ultimately will be Russia as Putin has greater will than the craven leaders of the West.