'Sphere of inference" is nothing more than an euphemism for 'control'. So in other words, 'neutral' equals 'pro Russian' To state that "millions of people are themselves as Ukrainians" is to say that no more than millions of people view themselves as English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish. The fact remains that they remain part of the United Kingdom (and it is, of course, possible to have two identities simultaneously i.e. Scottish and British, etc and Russian and Ukrainian). Re the article: It is clear from the the outset what Putin is saying: Ukraine is part of Russia. Moreover, how else can one interpret the following other than he views Ukraine as Russian? "... modern Ukraine is entirely the product of the Soviet era. We know and remember well that it was shaped – for a significant part – on the lands of historical Russia".
