3 ms·

Look up the term "Lebensraum" from WWII era. That might put this into context for you.

type0 5y ago
Not applicable here, that was to replace slavic people with germanic. It simply is a power grab, Putin wants another Lukashenko in power in Ukraine.
- ILMostro7 5y ago
  Sudetenland was deemed to be part of Germany. Parts of Poland were treated the same way. The comparison is valid, even if not a one-to-one parallel.
int_19h 5y ago
Russia doesn't have a problem with "living space" - it has plenty of undeveloped land in the Far East. Eastern Ukraine is Russia's Sudetenland.
- ILMostro7 5y ago
  Granted. However, in terms of a "buffer zone", strategic geography; leading to a nation that's "self-sufficient in terms of resources and territory". In my view, annexation of Crimea fits that strategic idea more than to believe that it was an ideological move to regain long-lost land. Plus, with 40% of the world's grain export, Ukraine is a fertile target for Russia.
  - int_19h 5y ago
    Crimea was both - it was a very potent ideological move that boosted Putin internally, but it is also the main Russian naval base on the Black Sea for a good reason. Russia also exports food, so it doesn't really need a "breadbasket" region. Ukrainian heavy industry (which is mostly in the East!) is a more lucrative prize. But there's really no economic justification for a grab for the entirety of Ukraine. Donbas alone would be a net sink for a very long time. There's plenty of (internal) political reasons, though. Especially if you accept that Putin really believes the tripe that he is saying about Russia and Ukraine, which I'm increasingly convinced is the case.
    - ILMostro7 5y ago
      Thank you for expanding on this. I was not focused on the strict translation of the term. Perhaps I did have a different interpretation of the term. However, I am not able to find supporting arguments for that nuanced interpretation. So, I have to concede to your logic. Appreciate the discussion.

Not applicable here, that was to replace slavic people with germanic. It simply is a power grab, Putin wants another Lukashenko in power in Ukraine.

ILMostro7 5y ago
Sudetenland was deemed to be part of Germany. Parts of Poland were treated the same way. The comparison is valid, even if not a one-to-one parallel.

int_19h 5y ago

Russia doesn't have a problem with "living space" - it has plenty of undeveloped land in the Far East. Eastern Ukraine is Russia's Sudetenland.

ILMostro7 5y ago
Granted. However, in terms of a "buffer zone", strategic geography; leading to a nation that's "self-sufficient in terms of resources and territory". In my view, annexation of Crimea fits that strategic idea more than to believe that it was an ideological move to regain long-lost land. Plus, with 40% of the world's grain export, Ukraine is a fertile target for Russia.
- int_19h 5y ago
  Crimea was both - it was a very potent ideological move that boosted Putin internally, but it is also the main Russian naval base on the Black Sea for a good reason. Russia also exports food, so it doesn't really need a "breadbasket" region. Ukrainian heavy industry (which is mostly in the East!) is a more lucrative prize. But there's really no economic justification for a grab for the entirety of Ukraine. Donbas alone would be a net sink for a very long time. There's plenty of (internal) political reasons, though. Especially if you accept that Putin really believes the tripe that he is saying about Russia and Ukraine, which I'm increasingly convinced is the case.
  - ILMostro7 5y ago
    Thank you for expanding on this. I was not focused on the strict translation of the term. Perhaps I did have a different interpretation of the term. However, I am not able to find supporting arguments for that nuanced interpretation. So, I have to concede to your logic. Appreciate the discussion.