The Rise of Russian Regional Hegemony

Would that Churchill be still among us

A close friend with excellent credentials to discuss international politics and economics recently told me that with possible settlement talks starting between Russia and Ukraine it appears Ukraine will gain the same result they could have obtained without war. Perhaps so.

I believe Russia will not stop until they have established proto states in the Donbas region (which will eventually join Russia) and taken the entire southern coast of Ukraine, tying Russia directly to Crimea and also to the Transnistria district bordering Moldova. They may take Ukraine east of the Dnieper River as well. With or without east Ukraine, this would enable Russia to control "neutral" Ukraine economically by controlling exports and imports via the Black Sea. Control of the Ukrainian breadbasket of wheat and other grains will add to his commodity armamentarium. A puppet friendly government will not be necessary. Once successful, he may consider taking Moldova as well in a few years, or more likely tu…