Regarding negotiations with Russia

[stopdiggin]

3. A lot of Russians cling to the belief that ALL of the former Soviet

rightly belongs to a greater Russia. (this notion would have all of Ukraine included as part of the 'old Russia' ) And additionally - a rightful (and fully justified by 'security concerns' ) 'sphere of influence' - wherein former states and client states remain mostly compliant - and most certainly are not going to be drifting off into other alliances (read NATO, etc.)

Given the long memories and intransigence of the human race - these beliefs are probably likely to persist for - another 3, 4, 500 hundred years? And will almost certainly get a boost, and become more entrenched - when Putin succeeds in clawing back territory(s) from Ukraine.