What do the Czars, the Soviets and Putin all have in common? They want[ed] the Russian empire to assume what they believe to be it’s historic borders. Putin wanted Ukraine one way or the other and would have invaded regardless.
The Ukraine is a buffer to stall invading Germans or French armies long enough to mount an effective defense of Mother Russia proper.
Any statement to the contrary is wrong and a misinterpretation of history
Ukraine is the best tired old Mother Russia can do after the Iron Curtain buffer disintegrated.
Total BS