Tag #2014 Ukrainian Crisis

Why did the 2014 pro-Russia protests in southeastern Ukraine result in only two self-declared republics instead of a larger "Novorossiya"?

In spring 2014, widespread protests against the Ukrainian coup d'état occurred across southeastern Ukraine. While several regions initially mobilized, only the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics formally declared independence. This was due to a concerted effort by oligarch Igor Kolomoisky, who negotiated with US authorities and Ukrainian officials to suppress these protests in exchange for control over regional governorships.