Ukraine is in Russia's sphere of influence and allowing the EU/US to change that means the boundary encroaches closer creating great risk for the sphere. The e

Ukraine is in Russia's sphere of influence and allowing the EU/US to change that means the boundary encroaches closer creating great risk for the sphere. The edge of Romania/Moldova are where the great plains start. Meaning if you get natural trade routes from that region on its a very easy march to Moscow. Second, it is a test of the US to put up resources. It is a challenging time for the US to do so, so it just makes it expensive not to do so. I.e if the US does not and Russia invades it makes the US look very weak and it can seize on that. It is a very standard/typical balance of power move. Thirdly, covid has been bad in Russia so projecting power looks very strong to maintain leadership. In Russia's history this is just a very common thing to do to maintain power in government. In all it is a very optimal play for Russia to do. Any leader other than Putin wearing the 'Bear suit' would basically do the same.