9/15/22, 12:27 AM (17) Quora

Why has Putin decided to go all-in and sacrifice everything Russia managed to achieve for the
last 30 years?
Russia has a huge demographic problem. Their birth rate is collapsing. In less than
20 years they won’t have enough young men to protect their borders.

And they have a huge geographical problem, the European Plain.

All the highlighted area is just flat or slightly hilly. There is no significant mountain
range. Borders in this area are difficult to defend. Russia’s Western border runs
entirely through this plain. Taking Ukraine was supposed to solve the problem. It
would shorten Russia’s Western border by more than 500 km (id Belarus remains a
Russian vassal) and add a population of 45 million to Russia’s existing 145 million.

But it’s likely that Russia wants more:

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9/15/22, 12:27 AM (17) Quora

To archive these goals Russia would have to invade into NATO territory. To be able
to do so without risking a nuclear war they started a hybrid war right after Putin’s
first reelection in 2004. They tried to divide the West and destabilize it. They
funded far right parties throughout Europe. They funded the British Leave
campaign. But their most important tool is named Donald J. Trump. He weakened
NATO and was even about to withdraw from NATO. But he failed to get a second
term. And after losing the elections he attempted a coup and failed again.

So Putin failed. He failed to take Kyiv. He reunited Europe (except a few

politicians) Europe is starting to rearm itself. Sweden and Finland are joining
NATO. He may take Donbas and get a ceasefire afterwards. A frozen conflict is
remaining. A decade long guerilla war with ongoing sanctions. No good future for
Russia.

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