Here is another perspective on why Putin invaded Ukraine
and what he wants:

http://bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720589

AC,

Russia's pretext for invasion is complete bollocks there was no huge desire for the eastern states or Crimea to secede, and Russia is now happily killing more Russian speakers than were ever killed in the 8 years since the first Russian invasion. The DNR and LNR are now almost empty of men between 18 and 60 after Russia conscripted them all as cannon fodder.

These fake referendums and mobilisation are because Putin is panicking. The Russian defensive lines are collapsing on just about every front as Russia runs out of manpower and equipment. At home, the mass mobilisation is causing panic and rage, and Putin has managed to wipe out 80% of the Russian natural gas market, oil prices have dropped below $80/b and Russia's economy is circling the drain.
Europe has been stocking up on LNG from the US and has now almost completely filled its reserves and the price of LNG is now falling while winter will be tough and expensive, the EU's situation is not nearly as dire as Russia's.

When the 300 000 to 1000 000 that are mobilised start to come home in body bags Putin will be as popular as a dose of the clap.

The BBC has pointed out that "Mr Putin for more
than two decades has, within the Russian elite
enjoyed a reputation for being a winner and
managing to extricate himself out of the tightest
spots."

That changed after 24th February and the last six months
suggest that Putin's decision to invade Ukraine was
a major miscalculation.

Unable to secure a rapid victory Russia got bogged down
in a long, bloody offensive and has suffered a series
of embarrassing and dire defeats and loss of lives.

Putin doesn't seem to care. He is determined to re-instate
the old Russian empire no matter what the cost. Russian
leaders rarely admit their mistakes. Will he go nuclear?
Time will tell. A series of embarrassing defeats when an
authoritarian leader's aura of invincibility fades can
cause problems for the leader. It hasn't ended well for
past Russian leaders who fought wars and didn't win them.

Putin however has prepared himself for all events and
is well protected. We can only hope that his removal is
possible.

Dear Critic,

«I want a multipolar world not a unipolar one.»

Well I don't want any poles, neither one nor many.

«I don't think the US should dictate through threats and coersion to all the other nations, which it does.»

I don't like the USA - they have done the same to Hawaii as the Chinese did to Tibet and as Russia is now trying to do to Ukraine. Same bastards them all.

But had Russia and China not been as totalitarian, had they also allowed the other countries around them to live peacefully, had they not posed such a threat, then Europe, Australia and many others would not have to cower under America's stinking nuclear umbrella and then the USA would shrink back to its natural geographical proportions. It is because of Putin and Xi that we have to.

Putin has granted Russian citizenship to Edward
Snowden after he moved there permanently having
exposed US military secrets. People are wondering
whether Snowden will now be sent to fight in the
Ukraine?

Dear Foxy,

No chance Snowden will be sent to Ukraine:

1) Snowden has no former military experience.
2) Putin cannot afford the humiliation should Snowden be captured and sent to America for trial.
3) Snowden is much more useful to Russia in cyber-war behind a computer's keyboard.