I don’t think Russia offering to compensate people to relocate; especially if it is perceived as forceful relocation, which it will be since it’s human nature to be stubborn in the face of adversity is going to solve their problems in annexed regions and will instead most likely create a plethora of problems for Russia.
If they simply decided to recognize the LNR and DPR then they’d be in a better position to negotiate and may have been able to hold some sort of illusion of moral supremacy, however they decided for a full offensive against Ukraine instead and dragged both Belarus and Chechnya into the conflict broadening the responsibility onto other nations and have better situated Ukraine as the “victim”.
The Mujahideen and later Taliban were able to throw together a successful insurgency against both the Soviet Union and the United States respectfully despite numerous tribal and cultural differences [although it can be said the Mujahideen were far more successful in cooperation within the tribal community]; which was set up and funded by the CIA.
The problem with the moral supremacy argument is that it doesn't work with the west. No matter how valid your grievances are, they will only be listened to if you're sitting on a big pile of oil or your interests align with there's. There are lots of conflicts around the world, yet America champions Xinjiang because it gives them a reason to be anti-China.
Russian demands are valid. They believe Ukraine is harbouring a neo-Nazi group that are killing ethnic Russians. Since 2014, they've integrated them into their army.
If an Arab country had a ISIS paramilitary group that venerated Osama Bin Laden and killed American citizens, what do you think the response would be?
Not saying the two are identical, but to dismiss Russian concerns completely as America and Ukraine have done is inevitably going to lead to this situation. Given that Ukraine is smaller I'm surprised Russia has shown the restraint it has.
Russia has simply done to much to make itself out as the bad guy in the eyes of the Ukrainians [even the minority groups in the east] to have them simply leave. Especially when you have radical elements within Ukraine which will use this as a chance to push their ideologies forward onto a demoralized and desperate populace.
However like I said we won’t know for certain until well into the future what the consequences will be.
The Chechens hated Russians more than anyone, and the Japanese weren't very fond of Americans either. They both became client states for their masters.
