Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

keroro gunsou

(2,296 posts)
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 10:00 AM Sep 15

can someone please explain to me...

why Putin has such a hard-on for the Ukraine? Please explain it like you are talking to a knucklehead, but smarter than a MAGA knucklehead...

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

eppur_se_muova

(40,449 posts)
4. Historically, Russia long dominated Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic States.
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 10:12 AM
Sep 15

Going back to the Tsars. To some people, the way it was is The Way It Oughta Be. No other views tolerated.

dutch777

(4,745 posts)
7. Specifically he wants the buffer states that isolate RU proper from the west AND have important industries
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 10:28 AM
Sep 15

Ukraine was a major wheat and grain producer that filled Moscow's coffers and silos plus had many hard manufacturing industries RU wants. And if you are going to invade Russia, Ukraine is the southern route in. Northern route into Russia is thru Poland hence that dynamic for Putin. But the Poles have had enough, possibly the strongest and most capable land army in NATO right now which further worries and ticks off Putin. And some of it is just bragging rights as to who has the most influence in Europe and the more countries in the EU and NATO the more diminished Putin feels.

patphil

(8,442 posts)
8. I agree. Also, he sees Ukraine as a valuable holding...great food producer.
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 10:44 AM
Sep 15

And then there's the need to punish anyone who rejects him. A free Ukraine on his border is unacceptable to Putin.

cbabe

(5,820 posts)
2. Food.
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 10:06 AM
Sep 15

farminglife.com
https://www.farminglife.com › country-and-farming › why-is-ukraine-known-as-the-breadbasket-of-europe-heres-what-it-produces-and-exports-3584361

Why is Ukraine known as the 'breadbasket of Europe'? Here's what it ...
Indeed, Ukraine has the ability to provide enough food for half a billion people, maybe more. Around 32 million hectares of land is cultivated each year,

no_hypocrisy

(53,614 posts)
3. Pragmatism.
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 10:12 AM
Sep 15

He starts with Ukraine and conquers it.

Then another country, say, Poland. Same thing.

To your question, he has to start somewhere.

RedWhiteBlueIsRacist

(1,410 posts)
5. Kinda funny, when Saddam Hussein had a hard-on for Kuwait, Republicans wanted to whack his pecker.
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 10:22 AM
Sep 15

WIth Putin's lust for Ukraine, they are stroking his privy member!

Bernardo de La Paz

(59,937 posts)
6. He can't allow Euro-centric democratic Ukraine to succeed when the tyrannical Putin regime is failing. . . . nt
Mon Sep 15, 2025, 10:23 AM
Sep 15
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»can someone please explai...