Taras, These are definitely ideas worth considering. I also do not think that democracy will make Ukraine strong. Democracy made Greece fall to Romans.
Democracy definitely makes for a weaker nation, particularly when it's small.
There is a definite trend towards authoritarianism among all of them. Ukrainians themselves are not sure if they want a democracy. And if they are doubting that democracy is not necessarily the best way out of the rut they are in - they may be right. Democracy should not be a holy cow that it has become that no one can criticize. Firstable, criticism implies an engaged analysis.