Russia believes it has the right and need to reconquer Ukraine eventually. Their sense of victimhood is astounding.
That's the only way to explain Putin's extraordinary statement:
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the Western-backed military development of Ukraine posed a serious threat to Russia, two days after the U.S. defense secretary staged a show of support for Kyiv and encouraged its aspiration to join NATO.
Putin told a group of journalists and Russia experts that Tuesday's visit to Ukraine by Lloyd Austin, in which he said no third country had the right to veto its hoped-for NATO membership, had effectively paved the way for Kyiv to join. [emphasis added]
Well. I guess Russia might not have a persistent sense of victimhood. But the only other explanation is that Russia is so weak that Putin fears the Ukrainian hordes will march to the gates of Moscow and crush Holy Mother Russia.
But Putin doesn't fear a Ukrainian invasion. He can accept only enemies or vassals on Russia's border.
NATO is not fooled by Russia's ridiculous proclamation of victim status:
NATO defence ministers have agreed upon a new master plan to defend against any potential Russian attack on multiple fronts, reaffirming the alliance’s core goal of deterring Moscow despite a growing focus on China.
The confidential strategy aims to prepare for any simultaneous attack in the Baltic and Black Sea regions that could include nuclear weapons, hacking of computer networks and assaults from space.
Remember, no amount of buffer territory is enough to ease Russian paranoia and aggression.
UPDATE: It would sure be nice if the Russians stopped being aggressive bastards:
New commercial satellite photos taken on Monday confirm recent reports that Russia is once again massing troops and military equipment on the border with Ukraine after a major buildup this spring.
I hope we can see the logistics behind this to know whether or not this is aggressive bluster or aggressive preparations for military action.
More here but nothing to answer my question.
#WhyRussiaCan'tHaveNiceThings
