of Russians living there. The Russians could invade the Ukraine on a ruse to protect the Russian sympathizers in the east and south, and to protect their gas pipelines to Europe which run through the Ukraine. IMO, Putin wants to make Russia a superpower like it was when he was in the KGB, and expanding the Russian borders back into countries that were previously part of the old USSR. Putin needs us as much as we need him. The U.S. needs Putin because he was instrumental in setting up the U.S. negotiations between Iran and in Syria. He needs us and the EU for trade in order to finance the build-up of his aging fleet and upgrade his army/air force. We can't send in troops. That could cause WW III. Tough diplomacy is our only way out. Not good but not bad either. Glad I'm not the president and have to negotiate with the likes of Putin and some of the other despots we have to deal with.