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How would annexation of Ukraine further Russia’s strategic goals at this point? NATO expansion is getting more popular by the hour, as is joining the EU. Econo
by labster 5y ago
How would annexation of Ukraine further Russia’s strategic goals at this point? NATO expansion is getting more popular by the hour, as is joining the EU. Economic sanctions weaken Russia, and will continue for years to decades if Ukraine is annexed. Sure, the Russian army can get total victory given enough time, but winning the war doesn’t benefit Russia.
- ethbr0 5y agoMoscow from Ukraine border: ~520 km Moscow from Latvian border: ~620 km Not to mention full control of a Black Sea (and therefore entrance to Mediterranean) coastline with multiple ports. As well as a major agricultural products. As well as a huge transit country for Russian energy pipelines.
- labster 5y agoWhat does slightly more access to the Mediterranean get you when no European country will buy your goods? All of those things you mentioned are worthless without buyers. Except the farm land. But it’s not 1444 — trade is vastly more profitable than agriculture nowadays.
- ethbr0 5y agoIMHO, Putin is looking at this from a century perspective. I.e. in a hundred years, the sanctions will be gone, Europe will be trading with Russia again, and Russia will still have the land.