[Schlagbohrer]

Why then did Russia have $300 Billion invested all over Europe? That was a massive portion of their national wealth, and it all got frozen by the EU in 2022. It looks as if Russia did want close economic integration with Europe. That's something the usa would not want, though.

[mopsi]

Because they thought that everything would be over in three days and business would continue as usual, as it did after 2014.

[UltraSane]

Russia invaded Ukraine specifically to stop it from becoming too integrated with Europe. The idea of a rich and democratic Ukraine is a nightmare for Putin.