Weekend invasion?

Not sure I understand, my friend. How does he lose anything?

There's nothing for Putin in the Ukraine absent Crimea. That secures the port, and prevents an alternative pipeline to gazprom. Apart from that, the only thing he ever wanted in the Ukraine was a buffer between him and NATO. We didn't want to leave that alone, so here we are.

If Putin is not openly supporting separatists, which he isn't, he doesn't lose face when it falls.

Just my two rubles.

People (not you) don't seem to appreciate how tightly bound together Russian and the Ukraine are.

Rockets (orbital types) from that part of the world are comprised exclusively of large lower stages (Zenit) that are *all* manufactured in the Ukraine topped off with a maneuverable upper stage (Block DM) built in Russia.

Neither of the silly bastards can reach space alone.

I cannot see how Russia can afford to let Ukraine leave its sphere of influence. I don't believe Putin will overtly invade but I think he do everything he can to destabilize the region and confound attempts to achieve independence (real independence).
 
People (not you) don't seem to appreciate how tightly bound together Russian and the Ukraine are.

Rockets (orbital types) from that part of the world are comprised exclusively of large lower stages (Zenit) that are *all* manufactured in the Ukraine topped off with a maneuverable upper stage (Block DM) built in Russia.

Neither of the silly bastards can reach space alone.

I cannot see how Russia can afford to let Ukraine leave its sphere of influence. I don't believe Putin will overtly invade but I think he do everything he can to destabilize the region and confound attempts to achieve independence (real independence).
. Roflmao , real independence, from whom?Us , IMF?
 
. Roflmao , real independence, from whom?Us , IMF?

I'm implying that they, Ukraine, will remain a quasi-satellite of the "Russian Federation" for many reasons to include culture, technology and geography.

Its all good spring/summer rebellious fun until winter arrives and your neighbor cuts your natural gas supply. Then you are going to see some recidivist contriteness by the Ukrainians towards the Rodina.
 
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