Different positions on the issue of joining NATO are the main reasons for Ukraine's division. Ukraine is divided into two factions, one is the pro-western western region of Ukraine, which supports Ukraine's accession to NATO; The other faction is the pro-Russian eastern region, which is opposed to joining NATO.
Ukraine's accession to NATO is indeed a great threat to Russia's strategic security: NATO planes, tanks, artillery and missiles will be deployed at Russia's doorstep, and Russia's strategic space will be further compressed. This is something that Russia cannot tolerate, and it is also Russia's "red line" and cannot be trampled on. Putin did the same: after Ukraine announced its accession to NATO, Crimea was immediately controlled by pro-Russian forces, and Russia decisively took the initiative to send troops to Crimea. The final result was that Crimea held a referendum and finally merged into Russia.
The current situation in eastern Ukraine is not much better for the Ukrainian government: it has been controlled by pro-Russian forces. After Crimea's referendum to join Russia, news once came from Donetsk, Lugansk and other places in the eastern region: a referendum was held to join Russia. Although the eastern part of Ukraine has not yet been merged into Russia, it has left the Ukrainian government.
whether the eastern part of Ukraine will be merged into Russia depends on how the situation develops in the future. It is still difficult to draw a conclusion: it can only be said that it will not be merged into Russia in a short time. Whether the eastern region will be merged into Russia, the key factor is not Russia, but mainly Ukraine. Many people think that it was the ambition of Russian territorial expansion that annexed Crimea. This statement only sees the surface of the problem. In fact, Russia has already shown its bottom line on the Ukrainian issue: Ukraine cannot join NATO, otherwise Russia will take any means to stop the Ukrainian government's behavior. There is no doubt that Russia has done the same.
during his participation in the international economic forum on may 25th, Putin said in an interview with the media that the United States and NATO must respect the interests of Russia, and once they cross the "red line", the consequences will be very serious. Undoubtedly, this is a serious warning to the US-led NATO, and it is also a warning to the Ukrainian government: if the Ukrainian government continues to go its own way and tries to join NATO, Russia will take necessary measures to fight back: it will not rule out the annexation of eastern Ukraine and bring it under Russian rule.
Crimea is a precedent. If Ukraine persists in its obstinacy, the chances of eastern Ukraine merging into Russia are quite high. Once Ukraine joins NATO, the eastern part of Ukraine will be merged into Russia. There is no doubt that Russia will never let NATO continue to expand eastward and remain indifferent.
if Ukraine takes the middle course: it is neither pro-Russian nor pro-western, or gives up joining NATO, the eastern part of Ukraine will not be merged into Russia. Donetsk and other places have already joined Russia, and Russia has never made a positive statement, just waiting for the decision of the Ukrainian government. As for international pressure, it is not worth mentioning in the face of national security, otherwise Putin would not have swallowed Crimea.
For the problem of Ukraine's division, neither Russia nor western countries can be blamed. The biggest reason for this situation is the Ukrainian government. A group of idiot politicians, for their own political interests, credulous of western commitments, ignoring domestic problems, ignoring national security and putting the people in danger, are the chief culprits of Ukraine's division. Ukraine is just a pawn for the West to suppress Russia.