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In reply to the discussion: Ukraine: Donetsk bridges blown up to halt access to rebel-held city [View all]JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Russia would have to pay the pensions, etc. for the Ukrainian people, earn the distrust of the Europeans who are a ready market for Russian gas and be forced to invest military hardware and human lives. The equation just does not add up to an easy life for the Russian oligarchs. And for what? A local disagreement in the Ukraine? The Ukraine is a bread basket for Russia. Commerce is worth far more than national pride. The port? More useful in peace than in war.
The disruption in the Ukraine may have propaganda value and national pride-raising value, but financially, I don't see the gain for Russia.
Russia would prefer to sell its weapons abroad. A loss in the Ukraine, which Russia is likely to suffer if s war were to be limited to Ukraine, could even hurt its arms trade. I don't think Russians or Putin are fools.