A slow but sure land grab Putin brings him closer to Kiev and taking Ukraine back into Russia, so ending any possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, and having a NATO member on Russia's south West axis. Russia will also be able to control the Black Sea along the full length of Ukraine blocking any possible attack by sea from Turkey and other NATO countries along the Black Sea coast. The Baltic States look the next obvious target, with the aid of Belarus, but that would drag NATO into a war with Russia. Is Putin mad enough to do that?
View attachment 37020