That's probably right -- it's about money. Every decision the elite or politicians make is about money, or wealth. Every single one. They only want control because it allows them to grow or protect their wealth.
Putin sees where the West is headed with Green energy initiatives, especially battery tech, and if I understand correctly eastern Ukraine is rich with Lithium. If he controls that, he controls a vast amount of the West's energy policy. And it makes him or his oligarch friends even wealthier.
And now the West is even proposing to make their military vehicles EVs. Ludicrous, and Putin will be laughing all the way to the bank. Our electronics will be made in China, and our EV batteries will be made in Russia.
Honestly, regarding the invasion, it's the only thing that really makes sense to me. Otherwise, I don't understand it at all. Just my two cents, and I won't even charge you that...
And when the Russians execute their timeless strategy and wait for the Russian winter what happens?