(November 17, 2014 at 2:23 pm)Rhythm Wrote: Okay, oversimplification I'm sure, but doesn't the vast majority of Russia's interests in the Ukraine boil down to Sevastapool? Understanding why Russia seeks to gain purchase in Ukraine would seem to be the first step into understanding how to move forward?
Their main interest is their Black Sea fleet and, probably, having a land corridor to supply it. The land corridor also seems vital for economic interests at the Crimean peninsula. That's probably what Putin's after.