From what I have read of the political situation in the Ukraine since the fall of the USSR thoughts of the people seem tot say that democracy = corruption. I have never heard weakness applied to it. NATO means enemy from the Dneiper east to the Caucasus, make no mistake about that. The Marines NATO sent to the Crimea awhile back were sent by Yuschenko and the Crimeans officials tossed them into an insane asylum to avoid trouble and to make a point.

It seems to me that democracy is all about choice, freedom to make a choice. All well and good in theory but there has to be standards/mechanisms in a democracy that allow for equality and choice.
There's plenty of choices in Ukraine, provided you have the right connections and that all important $$$$$$$. The people don't have money, the oligarchs do therefore they control everything and being the greedy bastards they are seem to care little for the people. The only people making money in the Ukraine are the Oligarchs and their connections. As soon as the money is made it is taken out of the country, not invested in it.

As for Ukraine splitting up I think there is a good chance of it in the future. East of the Dnpr it is mostly Russian and west it is a hodgepodge. If they have a rebellion or a civil war that is what will happen.