I'll admit you're right if you can find a single thing of value in Ukraine.

It is primarily about control over the Black Sea and blocking NATO from expanding. Russia and allies (Turkey, Georgia) control the majority of the Black Sea's territorial waters and access through the Bosporus Strait, adding Ukraine would give Russia near total control.

These are prime military routes, as well as Russian gas and oil shipping routes into Europe (via the Mediterranean Sea). Allowing Russian oil and gas to reach Europe and be sold for Euros would seriously threaten the US-Saudi Petro dollar duopoly.

I'll admit you're right if you can find a single thing of value in Ukraine.

It is primarily about control over the Black Sea and blocking NATO from expanding. Russia and allies (Turkey, Georgia) control the majority of the Black Sea's territorial waters and access through the Bosporus Strait, adding Ukraine would give Russia near total control.

These are prime military routes, as well as Russian gas and oil shipping routes into Europe (via the Mediterranean Sea). Allowing Russian oil to reach Europe and be sold for Euros would seriously threaten the US-Saudi Petro dollar duopoly.

It is primarily about control over the Black Sea and blocking NATO from expanding. Russia and allies (Turkey, Georgia) control the majority of the Black Sea's territorial waters and access through the Bosporus Strait, adding Ukraine would give Russia near total control.

These are prime military routes, as well as Russian gas and oil shipping routes into Europe (via the Mediterranean Sea). Allowing Russian oil to reach Europe and be sold for Euros would seriously threaten the US-Saudi Petro dollar duopoly.