Right - but I understand capturing Crimea was about securing access to the Black Sea before Ukraine eventually joins the EU or NATO. I feel it was a long-term s

Right - but I understand capturing Crimea was about securing access to the Black Sea before Ukraine eventually joins the EU or NATO. I feel it was a long-term strategic goal rather then an ideological or nationalistic goal. When I think of the SU’s expansionist goals I think of Seven Days to the Rhine rather than territorial gains of convenience - so I apologise for being vague in my original comment. I know the same argument applies to the PRC: their occupation of the South China Sea is opportunistic and strategic and so is more comparable to Crimea - it’s not like China is invading Vietnam or South Korea with intent to annex them.