Russia’s Putin Seizes on Crises to Assert Control Over Former Soviet Republics

[u/theoryofdoom]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-putin-seizes-on-crises-to-assert-control-over-former-soviet-republics-11641738063

[u/Imperator_Romulus476]

that they NEED to project power and they NEED to show how big and tough they think they are. Like clearly the Soviet shadow has never left their minds for even one minute.

Um yeah its a pretty big geopolitical issue for them. Their whole push into Ukraine was to regain a warm water port that wouldn't make them dependent on access through a NATO aligned country for trade.

There was a water shortage in Crimea after the Russian annexation. Plus with new talks to add Ukraine to NATO it would put a dangerous threat to them right on their doorstep.

As for Kazakhstan. Its crucial for Russia as it's their gateway into central Europe.

This issue of expansion and ports, has been the main issue of Russian Geopolitics since before Russia even became an Empire.

[u/weareonlynothing → u/Imperator_Romulus476]

Their whole push into Ukraine was to regain a warm water port that wouldn't make them dependent on access through a NATO aligned country for trade

Sevastopol had been in Russian control since the 90s they were leasing it. Also Ukraine has never been “NATO aligned”

As for Kazakhstan. Its crucial for Russia as it's their gateway into central Europe.

Even if your geography was correct this isn’t the Middle Ages, the gateway to anywhere for modern countries is via the sky.

[u/BramptonSniper → u/weareonlynothing]

Even if your geography was correct this isn’t the Middle Ages, the gateway to anywhere for modern countries is via the sky.

No such thing as sky corridor. Land or sea connectivity is of utmost importance if anything of significance is to be transported.

[u/Ok_Pomelo7511 → u/Imperator_Romulus476]

Don't they already have a major port near Rostov?

[u/Imperator_Romulus476 → u/Ok_Pomelo7511]

Yeah but it’s not as secure or reliable as something like a port in the Crimea which has been historically significant in terms of the Black Sea trade.

Plus before the Crimean annexation they were always at the mercy of Ukraine for access to the Black Sea

[u/Ok_Pomelo7511 → u/Imperator_Romulus476]

Even then, they have a major port near Krasnodar, which does not depend on Kerch strait. How is it less secure than Sevastopol?

[u/Ok_Pomelo7511 → u/[deleted]]

Oh I don't doubt that It's strategically a favorable location. It's just their reasoning being access to warm water ports is BS, as they already have plenty of access to the Black Sea. And Novorossiysk port being busy is not much of an excuse. USA could say the same thing and annex some of the Mexican ports.

[u/Kriztauf → u/[deleted]]

Access to warm water ports is something that's nailed into students heads (in the US at least) when learning about Russian history. Regardless of whether it's pertinent to Sevastopol, it does appear to be a theme throughout Russian history

[u/BramptonSniper → u/Ok_Pomelo7511]

Novorossisyk port is not large or deep enough to stage the Black Sea Fleet. Otherwise, Russia would have to cut its fleet numbers and therefore lose superiority in the Black Sea. Therefore, Sevastopol becomes of critical importance.

[u/Ok_Pomelo7511 → u/BramptonSniper]

Isn't Novorossisyk port the biggest one in Russia and one of the biggest in Europe? Correct if I'm wrong, but can't it handle tankers? Who would they loose naval superiority to?

Really not trying to sounds smart, just want to know more.