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comment by amranu
amranu  ·  3671 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Russia admits it has moved troops into Ukraine

Well, regardless of anything else it's important they keep their influence in the black sea, so at the very least they -need- Crimea to keep access to their port in Sevastopol, as I don't think the new Ukrainian government would allow them anywhere near it following a withdrawal at this point.

Because of this, territorial claims are definitely part of what they're looking for. Possibly in the form of an independent Crimea ala South Ossetia, or what seems more likely at this point full integration of Crimea into the Russian federation. I say this is more likely as Crimea already voted for independence before Russia stormed in and took their parliament over, soo... yeah.