As Vladimir Putin continues his relentless military assault on Ukraine, it is important to understand what motivates him to pursue these attacks. His most stringent motive is his nostalgic obsession with molding Russia back into the old Soviet Empire it had been prior to its collapse in December 1991.

To Putin, Ukraine has never been an independent country and has always been historic Russian land dating back to the 10th century. Putin fantasizes that this unity has always been present and that Ukraine is historic, “spiritual” Russia. That is what is driving the war today.

Since attacking Ukraine’s eastern borders in 2022, Russia has inflicted a steady military assault that Ukraine has resisted using all possible assistance. Putin will not abandon his fantasy of restoring his united kingdom. To his frustration, however, Ukraine, together with committed U.S./NATO assistance, is equally determined to prevent Putin from conquering it.

As casualties continue to mount, the war shows no sign of ending. Putin stubbornly refuses to let go of his obsession with a 1,000-year-old united kingdom, and the Ukrainians are equally determined to prevent this unification and are willing to pay the price in human lives.

Putin will never win this war.

Q:  How can Putin give up his misguided obsession and abandon his attempt to take over Ukraine?

A: He will have to discover a way to subdue his own ego.

Once Putin separates himself from his egotistical obsession, he can then call off his futile campaign to take over Ukraine.

Tom Kurtz
Wiscasset