Yes, this is indeed what is irritating, as though Ukraine isn't a sovereign entity that has the ability to make up it's own mind about what it wants. Ukrainian people are the only party that should have a say in any of that. Neither Russia nor the United States have a legitimate interest there other than what the Ukrainians are willing to let them have.

i'm legit baffled every time i see this type of comment.

i don't understand how you listen to, or read, what chomsky says -- and come away with the idea that chomsky thinks the US and/or Russia carving up a country is a _good_ thing, or that he's in _favor of it_, etc.

that's just weird.