it's been their market for years, but they've begun to lose control over the price, as economic reality always catches up with market-deniers and manipulators.
I wouldn't go so far as to postulate that such is the primary motivation for Putin's naked aggression, but would be surprised if it did not figure significantly into his calculations.
Incidentally, I thought he wasn't president anymore.... /s
“Incidentally, I thought he wasn’t president anymore.... /s”
I think we need to start calling him “Premier Putin.”