[benterix]

If everybody followed your line of reasoning, not only Ukraine but half of Europe would be Russian already. Remember Putin's initial demand before the invasion was a full reset to the 90s. It was only because of Ukraine's dramatic fight that he scaled his demands temporarily.

Also, this logic doesn't work, because if it worked, he should already be satisfied by the annexation of Crimea in 2014. But he didn't, and this "success" made him even more hungry. It took time for everyone to understand this.

[vizzah]

I don't buy this nonsense about Putin having ambitions beyond Right-Bank Ukraine. Putin didn't expect such resistance, and he understands now that Ukraine won't allow itself to become entirely Russian. Western Ukraine is not a match for Russia ideologically or historically, and since the war began, Central Ukraine has become much more radical in its stance toward everything Russian. He now realizes that Eastern Ukraine is the only area where Russia can be tolerated , if ceded to Russia.

And please -- anyone who talks about European ambitions is either naive or deliberately spreading propaganda.

[benterix]

> I don't buy this nonsense about Putin having ambitions beyond Right-Bank Ukraine.

It would be wonderful if it was true. Unfortunately the facts are different: he started a full-scale invasion planning to capture Kiev first and take over all Ukraine. He explained it very clearly here:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60562240

In short, in his opinion Ukraine is not a real country and shouldn't exist, and he doesn't want to "leave this problem to future generations". Which is his typical language because already assumes that well-developed Ukraine is a threat to Russia, and that future generations will share his view on this.