In demanding change, freedom, and democracy – right on Russia’s doorstep, no less – the protesters challenged Putin’s model of “sovereign democracy,” in which the president eliminates all opposition, restricts media freedom, and then tells citizens that they can choose their leaders. The Kremlin feared that if the Ukrainians got what they wanted, Russians might be inspired to follow their example.
对俄罗斯来说，乌克兰示威者所构成的威胁是生存威胁。乌克兰示威者在俄罗斯大门口要求变革、自由和民主，这挑战了普京的“主权民主”（sovereign democracy）模式。在普京的模式中，总统消灭一切反对，控制言论自由，然后告诉公民他们可以选择他们的领导人。克里姆林宫害怕，如果乌克兰人得到了他们想要的东西，俄罗斯人也会群起效仿。