But I’m also not buying that Putin only wants the eastern oil rich parts.
He clearly amassed an invasion force to take all of Ukraine.
And the Belarusian leader showed a map that has Russia taking all of Ukraine and Moldavia.
Putin could have stationed much fewer forces in eastern Ukraine, without all of this blood shed. Putin clearly wants it all.
Poland and Hungary (Orban has broken off his friendship with Putin) may meet him in Western Ukraine.
I didn’t expect the invasion of Western Ukraine… but I currently assume it is to improve Putin’s negotiating position and to make it harder for Western Ukraine to mount an offensive against Eastern Ukraine.