It's convenient for Russians to blame US/West for their situation and crappy system.
Then they wouldn't have to deal with the fact that their own system is the only reason.
(I tried and lost fighting the system in Poland, which is much milder than RU system. You can't go around everyday going mad from everything that doesn't work like it should. The only way to not break down mentally is just to accept and ignore that the system is fucked. You resign, or else you would end up a raging madman.)
A much more comfortable thought is to think the enemy brought the situation upon you. This could explain why Russians think western europe are enemies.
Fact is Soviet Union was rotten, and the mentality and parts of the system still remains. That's the real reason Russia sucks today. There is no way for people and journalists to use normal democratic checks like transparency and functioning law to ensure they are not getting fucked.
Everyone assumes everyone cheats/steals/lies, and so (almost) everyone does. Life sucks, so blame the enemy, feel a bit better about yourself.
I supported Maidan, because it was a chance for Ukraine to get out of Russias shadow, and begin a new road to real change. The western Ukrainians, and those who traveled have seen with their own eyes how much better the west works (Yes, even new western countries like poland) , and wants the same for themselves. The ones in the east haven't seen for themselves, only the TV set with Russian propaganda. I do understand why they think strongman Putin is vastly better than the corrupt and weak politicians of Ukraine.
Russia needs to get their hands off Ukraine. It's a sovereign nation, and can and should decide its own fate. If it chooses the west, it's because Russia has failed, nothing else.