I think because the large majority of the wealth is in the south-eastern Russian-speaking section. From the article, it sounds like that is where all the coal and iron mines are. Not to mention the most productive farmland.
The Russian-speaking section also encompasses the major ports of Odessa and Sevastopol.
So a split down language lines would leave the Ukrainian segment landlocked and with a vastly weakened economy.
The Russian-speaking section also encompasses the major ports of Odessa and Sevastopol.
So a split down language lines would leave the Ukrainian segment landlocked and with a vastly weakened economy.