Putin’s long-term vision is to build a rival EU – or an EAU, the Eurasian Union trade zoneThe escalating conflict in Ukraine between the Western-backed government and Russian-backed separatists has focused attention on a fundamental question: what are the Kremlin’s long-term objectives? Though Russian President Vladimir Putin’s immediate goal may have been limited to regaining control of Crimea and retaining some influence in Ukrainian affairs, his longer-term ambition is much bolder.That ambition is not difficult to discern. Putin once famously observed that the Soviet Union’s collapse was the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century. Thus, his long-term objective has been …read more
Source: The Guardian
