while I have no doubt that the State Department has its greasy fingers all over the problems in Ukraine. The level of incompetence there is also pretty noticeable. Their is good news and bad news from this. First the Russians are really pissed off since they thought they should be running the show. They are however also pretty seriously failing at that. So, the good news is that the crooks that were most recently in charge are out. The better news is that it looks like Tomashenko will be back soon. Near as I can tell hse is good for freedom and self determination in Ukraine. So, right now they just need to get the Crimea back. It seems that the Russians are needlessly afraid that their could be some ethnic cleansing in Crimea. But, that does not seem like something the Ukrainians are actually interested in. As far as their getting along with the EU. The Ukraine has a lot more in common with Europe than they do with Central Asia, so if they want to get closer with the EU that is their business not ours or the Russians. Heck, it would probably be better for Russia if the Ukraine were running their own show well.

well those who were protesting including some who lost their lives, thought they would be aligned more with Western Europe not the United States.

Ukrainians caught between two less than honorable administrations... Not good. Where is the EU? This is in their backyard, not ours. Why are we still meddling? If we are trying to influence things (and I question the national interest) we should be open about it, or at least smart enough to be discrete. Although I don't think even being discrete and doing something covert is necessarily advisable. We should support the cry for freedom openly with something like the Berlin Airlift if necessary, but whatever we do, if anything, it should be transparent and honorable.