Putin can keep the border areas in conflict as long as he wants.....which prevents much of what East Ukraine might otherwise offer the EU and the varied Oligarchs also fighting there for their share.
The EU is trying hard to avoid keeping Ukraine in indefinite conflict for their hands are tied for that...The Soviet Union (cold war) has collapsed, and U.S. influence in Europe has declined. So whatever will come next will not be the Cold War. IMO...and others as well. Ukraine provides two things: ....'strategic position' and 'agricultural and mineral products'....who gets control of these is what is at stake...
Actually, I think it’s a little of both. Putin is old-school KGB, and may miss the good-ole days. Also, I’m not sure the people have really adjusted to the “freedoms” offered up after the collapse. Many longed for the structure, such as it was, under communism. There was at least some level of stability in knowing that you would need to starve this week because bread was non-existent. The country has not completed the transition. (Just as a side note, the Soviet population was in total shock to learn the Stalin was not a hero, but a mass murderer. And this was back in the 80’s.)
When you have a Russian economy that is tenuous and the people are just as uncertain, you need resources (and perhaps a skirmish) to bring everyone onboard. So yes it has to do with ports, resources, etc., and the Ukraine has been a dynamo in resources for decades.
Nonsense, Putin better get some results soon and get out from under this tightening noose, or he is in deep trouble domestically.
The west is waking up and unifying.