Quote:
Originally Posted by Dondilion
The Ukraine project has run up into reality.
Any scholar of Russia would know that the Russians would not allow their prized naval base in Crimea to fall into the hands of NATO.
Secondly, the Donbas area was the industrial heart of both Ukraine and Russia. This is the area noted for high valued equipment, such as aircraft engines and turbines for ships and hydroelectric power. However, it is situated on the Russian border and is inhabited by a significant number of Russian-speaking sympathizers. The Donbas is where there is an active, slow-burning conflict.
The Ukrainian government would like to cleanse the area, but any Russian government which allows that to happen would immediately fall.
Additionally, the Ukrainians having weaponized language and given free rein to right-wing militias have created further divisions.
I believe the Russian military parading on the border is indicating to the Ukrainians the real cost of cleansing the Donbas.
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What actually scares Putin is that a former part of the Soviet Union will show success in adopting democracy and fighting corruption, both anathema to Putin's kleptocracy.
FWIW, Russian speakers in Ukraine are far more free than Russian speakers in Russia.