Russia Thins Out Its Embassy in Ukraine, a Possible Clue to Putin's Next Move
Source: MSN/NewYorkTimes
KYIV, Ukraine — The week before intensive diplomatic meetings began over the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border, American and Ukrainian officials watched from afar as Russia began emptying out its embassy in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
On Jan. 5, 18 people — mostly the children and wives of Russian diplomats — boarded buses and embarked on a 15-hour drive home to Moscow, according to a senior Ukrainian security official.
About 30 more followed in the next few days, from Kyiv and a consulate in Lviv, in western Ukraine. Diplomats at two other Russian consulates have been told to prepare to leave Ukraine, the security official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters.
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-thins-out-its-embassy-in-ukraine-a-possible-clue-to-putins-next-move/ar-AASSmCE
= new reply since forum marked as read
Does anybody know what Putin is up to?
(Ukraine) is the poorest country in Europe, suffering from a very high poverty rate as well as severe corruption.[13][14] However, because of its extensive fertile farmlands, Ukraine is one of the largest grain exporters in the world.[15][16] It also maintains the third-largest military in Europe after Russia and France.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine#History
Maybe one or both of:
1. Putin is paranoid that if Ukraine were to join NATO there would be so much military force there that they could quickly overwhelm and retake Crimea and cost Putin his investments there;
2. Diversify his economy with the economic benefits Ukraine could offer in light of trends away from fossil fuels. Russian agriculture is apparently doing well already so adding Ukraine's big agriculture probably not a big bonus.
Something else? He already controls the largest nation on Earth at almost twice the size of the second largest (Canada).
