[qwerty49]

Lots of things to think about here but if one puts aside the political and philosophical issues and just takes a look at Ukraine's vast natural resources, (including iron, lithium, titanium, etc) plus its geographic position providing added hegemony over the Black Sea and an overland route for natural gas transport to Europe, this land grab is, in retrospect, not surprising.

Putin obviously figured that NATO would have no taste for direct military involvement.  Would any Western head-of-state sign off on committing forces to on-the-ground operations there right now?  I don't think so.

So we're left with non-military actions, and unfortunately I think this eventually puts it all in Putin's hands.  Who can last longer -- the Russian economy or the poor people of Ukraine?

[qwerty49]

Lots of things to think about here but if one puts aside the political and philosophical issues and just takes a look at Ukraine's vast natural resources, (including iron, lithium, titanium, etc) plus its geographic position providing added hegemony over the Black Sea and an overland route for natural gas transport to Europe, this land grab is, in retrospect, not surprising.

Putin obviously figured that NATO would have no taste for direct military involvement.  Would any Western head-of-state sign off on committing forces to on-the-ground operations there right now?  I don't think so.

So we're left with non-military actions, and unfortunately I think this eventually puts it all in Putin's hands.  Who can last longer -- the Russian economy or the poor people of Ukraine?