“Western countries argue that Russia attacked Ukraine in an attempt to conquer the country, and “if Putin wins in Ukraine, there is real risk that his aggression will not end there”. He may attack “other countries after Ukraine”, Jens Stoltenberg says. But the leadership in Moscow says that Russia will not be able to defend itself if US forces can operate from Ukrainian territory only 500 km from Moscow. This has nothing to do with Vladimir Putin. Everyone in Moscow, the entire Russian leadership will claim the same thing. They all wanted a neutral Ukraine. That was their only real demand, said Ukraine’s chief negotiator David Arakhamia after the Ukraine-Russia talks in March-April 2022.”
How will the Ukraine War end?
Published by markskidmore
Mark Skidmore is Professor of Economics at Michigan State University where he holds the Morris Chair in State and Local Government Finance and Policy. His research focuses on topics in public finance, regional economics, and the economics of natural disasters. Mark created the Lighthouse Economics website and blog to share economic research and information relevant for navigating tumultuous times. View more posts