It's hard to understand the rationale for the Western, and Japanese, sanctions against Russia over Ukraine. Moscow says it wants a federal system of government giving more power to semi-autonomous regional units. And many in the West say they would support something similar. Even Kiev sees it as one acceptable outcome of the constitutional referendum it plans for May 25. So why the sanctions and all the heavy breathing?
The best answer we can get from Washington is that while it supports decentralization, it opposes too much power being given to the regions since this will favor Moscow in the traditionally pro-Russia east of the nation. So the Western objection is simply over the hypothetical degree of an autonomy to be decided in the future? And for that reason, we have troops being rushed into Poland, Cold War warriors are being unleashed, and sanctions imposed?
True, there are also objections to Moscow running military exercises along the east Ukraine border. But that is something the U.S. does along the North Korean border every year. The only other possible objection is over Crimea. But while many were unhappy about its separation into Russia, is anyone asking for that to be reversed?