What does Vladimir Putin want next?

This is CNN ^ | March 21, 2014 | By Tim Lister

[Jim Robinson]

Simferopol, Crimea (CNN) -- Is Russian President Vladimir Putin an opportunist, grabbing at chances to poke the West in the eye, or a clever strategist with the longer-term goal of restoring a greater Russia? Is he simply riding a tide of Russian patriotic fervor over Crimea? Is he a rational actor aware of the delicate balances within the international system, or as one observer put it, "drunk on power" and oblivious to sanctions?

These are the questions preoccupying western governments and Russia's neighbors, after the swift annexation of Crimea and Russian military maneuvers close to the Ukrainian border.

There were some tantalizing clues in Putin's pugnacious speech to the Duma this week. He described the fall of the Soviet Union as unfortunate -- because it had separated Russians. "The Russian nation became one of the biggest, if not the biggest ethnic group in the world to be divided by borders," he said.

"It was only when Crimea ended up as part of a different country that Russia realized that it was not simply robbed, it was plundered." He went on to say, "if you compress the spring all the way to its limit, it will snap back hard."

Heady, populist rhetoric -- but it has propelled the Russian President to his highest approval rating -- 71% -- in recent years, according to the Russian Public Opinion Research Center.

Putin said Russia had no intention of violating Ukraine's sovereignty (beyond the 5% of its territory it has absorbed this week.) "Do not believe those who want you to fear Russia, shouting that other regions will follow Crimea," he told Ukrainians.

[Jim Robinson]

'But he then said this: "It should be above all in Ukraine's own interest to ensure that these people's rights and interests are fully protected. This is the guarantee of Ukraine's state stability and territorial integrity."

In other words, if the Kremlin believes Russians are being discriminated against, Ukraine's independence is no longer assured.

Those words will have echoed across parts of the former Soviet Union with large Russian populations...'

What does Vladimir Putin want next?

Well, the dimwitted Obama had best be figuring it out real quick. Putin wants all he can easily take. And he will take all he can when there's no one there to stop him. A pen and a phone ain't cutting it.

He's on a mission from God. Putting the USSR back together.

[ClearCase_guy]

What does Vladimir Putin want next?

I dunno but my wife is pretty smart -- I'll ask 'er!

(That's an Alaska joke, you know.)

[Vermont Lt]

A V8? Something on a crisp Ritz Cracker?

[Olog-hai]

The bear claws are mightier than the pen, here.

[Marguerite]

“it has propelled the Russian President to his highest approval rating — 71%”

According to the latest poll two days ago, Putin’s approval rating is 75.7% - his highest in the last five years.

[Owen]

Any Russian patriot would behave as Putin is behaving with such an overwhelming winning hand of cards re oil and gas.

It’s not a matter of being a better chessplayer than Obama. An amateur would defeat a grandmaster if the amateur has overwhelming board material and position. He does.

[Cyber Liberty]

I’m voting “Estonia.” He’s already complaining about the way poor “Russians” are treated there. But I think Putin will push at the weakest link next, wherever he perceives that to be.

[easternsky]

You got it Jim, that’s where were at.

[Carry_Okie]

He's on a mission from God. Putting the USSR back together.

He wants to be the stud that leads a dominant nation to glory. He has nothing but contempt for LGBT poofters, believing that they sap the willpower of a nation.

[boycott]

What does Vladimir Putin want next?

---

For Obama to get a third term?

[zipper]

It doesn’t matter what Putin wants, he’ll get it, because our president is as weak as the image he projects. And doesn’t care — he’s more interested in March Madness or planning his next vacation.

And we can’t impeach the SOB because there’s no political will, because he’s half black.

[Carry_Okie]

But that would mean he has contempt for...

No 'butts' about it.

[Marguerite]

Contrary to the West allegations, that V.Putin, a native of St.Petersburg, wants to rebuild the Soviet Union, this is not his goal. What he wants is to regain the greatness of Russia as set up by the great precursors Peter the Great and Cathrine II, at the end of 18th century, but a new, modern Russia. It is not a coincidence that the Russian Federation adopted the Imperial Russia's flag colors and coat of arms.

Since the last military operation in Afghanistan, at the time of Soviet Union in 1980, Russia hasn't invaded any country, contrary to the allegations in the Western media. Russia didn't "invade" Chechenya, wich was included in the Imperial Russia in 1859. Russia didn't "invade" South Ossetia, which was an automoumous provice and declared independence at the break of the Soviet Union in 1991, and it's still an independent Republic, not part of Russia. Russia didn't "invade" Crimea, it already had there some 17,000 troops according to the treaty signed with Ukraine in 1994. Crimea has been part of Catherine the Great' Imperial Russia since 1774.

At that time of the Imperial Russia, the actual Eastern and South Ukraine, called "Malorussia" (Little Russia) was integral part of the Russian Empire since 1654, the natural border being on Dniepr river. With this data in mind, one can understand Putin's foreign policy. He is not interested in Latvians , Poles or other Ruthenians (inhabitants of Western Ukraine), but only in rebuilding his country prosperity and greatness as he understands it.

[Focault's Pendulum]

Russian officials have been making noises about Estonia, due to its large Russian speaking population There might be a hesitation to this as Estonia is a NATO member. (2012)

.

Residents of Estonia by ethnicity.

Estonians   68.7%
Russians   24.8%
Ukrainians   2.0%
Belarusians   1.1% Finns   0.8%
Others   1.6%

[Ouderkirk]

It’s clear that Putin loves his country and the things that he thinks made it great. Obastard hates our country and everything we think made it great.

[freeangel]

Whatever iit is, Obama will handed over in a NY minute.

[McGruff]

He's on a mission from God. Putting the USSR back together.

I don't think he is. At least he didn't start out to.

Let's not forget who started this mess. Everything was quiet. The this group of protesters were able to overthrow the Ukrainian government. The ones in charge now wanted to be part of the EU. The fact that there are so many Russian leaning citizens forced Putin's hand. Crimea was a give me. Eastern Ukraine could be pretty easy. After that can't say.

All I know is I don't want our boys and girls involved unless it's in our national interest.