What Is Russia's Vision Of A Federal Ukraine ?

In Russia's view , a federal Ukraine would see it's regions given much more power over the local economy , finance and foreign trade , as well as language , traditions , religious practices , education cultural ties abroad and relations with neighbouring states , including Russia

These regions , according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov , would be responsible for making sure the rights of minorities were respected

In addition , regional legislative assemblies and governors would be voted in through local elections so that Kiev could not impose its choice of governor on a region (as it does now )

Kiev would retain statewide functions like defence , foreign policy and the legal systems in other words , central government would be much diminished

HOW WOULD THIS REFORM COME ABOUT 

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has repeatedly said that neither Russia nor any other power should try to impose a framework , but leave it up to Ukrainiian's themselves to decide on how it would work 

The question is which Ukrainain's ? the U.S. argues that Kiev Government must be in the lead

But Moscow argues that Kiev , a tempory Government which it claims  came to power in an illegal coup , should not have a veto over what happens , but instead invite all political forces and regions to join a nationwide dialogue where all participants would have a equal voice and vote

That would mean the central government could not impose it's own plan on others , but it could also give the regions the upper hand when it comes to deciding which powers to strip away from the centre

Russia also proposes that ,once agreed , the new framework should be put to a nationwide referndum , which must take place ahead of any national election ( in theory ahead of the Presidential election planned for late May)

Russia's argument is that Ukraine cannot survive as a unitary state and only by turning it into a looser federation could different regions keep their separate identities and sometimes conflicting interests with out coming to blows

but those suspicious of Russia's motives fear that the real intention is to weaken the central Kiev authorities

This could turn into a mechanism to allow regions to secede and join Russia or decision making would be constantly subject to approval from regional governments , some of which Russia might hope would be closely allied to Moscow , thereby allowing it to influence Ukraine's allegiances and policies

It is by no means certain that in each of these regions a majority would opt for closer ties to Russia if it meant weakening Ukrainian statehood and if as in Crimea , troops were deployed or there were other reasons for voters to feel intimidated or swayed by a powerful onslaught of propaganda , it might affect how people voted or where there was a boycott