Why do you think Russia invaded Ukraine? And please don't refer me to a single article from 1998!

(I have read about how the U.S. messed with their economy back then and was horrified, so I'm not one who believes the U.S. is blameless in the troubles Russia has experienced.)

On the other hand, it's difficult to believe that Putin's attacks, beginning in 2014, are anything but a power grab.

It's not about how much grain is produced--it's the desire, I think, to take crony capitalism to Ukraine and recapture the land Putin sees as still part of the old Soviet Regime.

If Putin is successful the natural resources Ukraine possesses will be sold off to oligarchs, like it was in the 90s. Not to mention the fact that Ukraine doesn't wish to be part of Russia.