I'm looking at all the angles here and IMO Russia simply annexing part of the Ukraine has too many pitfalls. I am now thinking that Putin is setting up for an agreement from the Ukraine to not join NATO for a period of time, (and to NEVER be the base for an ABM system) and to cede the Black Sea ports for 99 years (similar to agreements that handled Hong Kong and Guantanamo Bay).
Somehow I see Putin getting gains and still coming out of this not bruised at all. No sanctions, no international rebukes and still with influence on Ukrainian Politics (Which he would lose if a large number of ethnic Russians were annexed).
Last edited by kato13; 03-01-2014 at 09:05 PM.
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