Putin's aims are simple to understand. It has little to do with NATO expansion or petroleum reserves, except tangentially. He imagines himself as the savior of the Russian Empire. He wants to be Tsar.

The Soviet Union was the successor-in-interest of Tsarist Russia, and Putin was a true believer. He has said so on multiple occasions, including in his invasion speech. He views Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Poland and the Baltic states as part of Russia.

He views the entire west as his rivals, thus he will do anything to undermine them. Ukraine is a particular store spot because they know him best, and they offer an alternative vision. He hates them for their freedoms, for their prosperity, and for their independence. This is a personified affront to him.

Yes, he covets Ukraine's resources, but only to bolster Russia's place in the world as a "great power". He hates NATO because it is effective. He will remain a menace as long as he is alive.

A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.

Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich