Quote:
Originally Posted by Knalus
In all honesty, having Crimea leave Ukraine will be a bit of a double edged sword for Russia. If Crimea becomes a part of Russia, then Russia becomes stronger because they have some certainty as to the Fleet home base in Sevastopol. However, it also means that elections in the Ukraine would loose a large Russian voter bloc, strengthening the pro-western bloc in that country. If Putin gains Crimea, he may end up losing Ukraine as a whole. In this case, strengthening Russia will end up weakening Russia. Putin is in a weak scenario with the former head of state being toppled. All he can do now is make sure his fleet's position is secured, return Crimea to Ukraine, and hope he can rig the next election in the same way he did after the "Orange Revolution".
What does Russia really gain in security with the taking of Crimea, if it results in it's rivals could gain an ally in Ukraine?
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Yeah, the more I think about it and ask questions just like this, the more it seems Putin kinda goofed up, even from his angle or goals.
That said, I see more and more why he felt he had to do something. Roundly disagree with it, it's illegal and immoral, but purely from a 'power' standpoint it was quickly getting eroded away.
Things like this though always make me wonder why leaders like this, that tend towards dictatorship, don't just realize there is more for them to benefit by playing nice and strengthening their own economy and people from the inside. I mean, just look at all the trade and value they lost in one day!
Unless a lot of the big reasons are because of the people in power are just wanting to profit regardless of how their people fare. Putin, his inner circle, and the plutocrats who keep him in power. I suspect that often plays a large role.