Serhii Plokhy

Ukraine happened to be the second largest Soviet republic and then post-Soviet state. in terms of population, in terms of the economy, economic potential, and so on and so forth. And, as Yeltsin suggested, close culturally, linguistically, and otherwise to Russia. So, with the second largest republic gone, Russia didn't think that it was in Russia's interest to continue with the Soviet Union.

Around that time, Yegor Gaidar, who was the chief economic advisor of Yeltsin, was telling him, well, we just don't have money anymore to support other republics. We have to focus on Russia. We have to use oil and gas money within the Russian Federation. The state was bankrupt. Imperial projects, at least in the context of the late 20th century, they costed money.

Around that time, Yegor Gaidar, who was the chief economic advisor of Yeltsin, was telling him, well, we just don't have money anymore to support other republics. We have to focus on Russia. We have to use oil and gas money within the Russian Federation. The state was bankrupt. Imperial projects, at least in the context of the late 20th century, they costed money.

Around that time, Yegor Gaidar, who was the chief economic advisor of Yeltsin, was telling him, well, we just don't have money anymore to support other republics. We have to focus on Russia. We have to use oil and gas money within the Russian Federation. The state was bankrupt. Imperial projects, at least in the context of the late 20th century, they costed money.

It wasn't a money-making machine as it was back in the 18th or 19th century. And the combination of all these factors led to the processes in which Ukraine's decision to go independent spelled the end to the Soviet Union.

It wasn't a money-making machine as it was back in the 18th or 19th century. And the combination of all these factors led to the processes in which Ukraine's decision to go independent spelled the end to the Soviet Union.

It wasn't a money-making machine as it was back in the 18th or 19th century. And the combination of all these factors led to the processes in which Ukraine's decision to go independent spelled the end to the Soviet Union.

And if today anybody wants to restore not the Soviet Union, but some form of Russian control over the post-Soviet space, Ukraine is as important today as it was back in December of 1991.

And if today anybody wants to restore not the Soviet Union, but some form of Russian control over the post-Soviet space, Ukraine is as important today as it was back in December of 1991.

And if today anybody wants to restore not the Soviet Union, but some form of Russian control over the post-Soviet space, Ukraine is as important today as it was back in December of 1991.

His formulation was that this is the greatest geopolitical catastrophe or tragedy of the 20th century. I specifically went and looked at the text and put it in specific time when it was happening. It was interesting that the statement was made a few weeks before the May 9 parade and celebrations of the victory. a key part of the mythology of the current Russian state.

His formulation was that this is the greatest geopolitical catastrophe or tragedy of the 20th century. I specifically went and looked at the text and put it in specific time when it was happening. It was interesting that the statement was made a few weeks before the May 9 parade and celebrations of the victory. a key part of the mythology of the current Russian state.

His formulation was that this is the greatest geopolitical catastrophe or tragedy of the 20th century. I specifically went and looked at the text and put it in specific time when it was happening. It was interesting that the statement was made a few weeks before the May 9 parade and celebrations of the victory. a key part of the mythology of the current Russian state.

So why say things about the Soviet collapse being the largest geopolitical strategy, and not in that particular context, the Second World War? My explanation, at least, is that the World War II, the price was enormous, but the Soviet Union emerged as a great victor and captured half of Europe. 1991. in terms of the lives lost at that point, the price was actually very, very low.

So why say things about the Soviet collapse being the largest geopolitical strategy, and not in that particular context, the Second World War? My explanation, at least, is that the World War II, the price was enormous, but the Soviet Union emerged as a great victor and captured half of Europe. 1991. in terms of the lives lost at that point, the price was actually very, very low.

So why say things about the Soviet collapse being the largest geopolitical strategy, and not in that particular context, the Second World War? My explanation, at least, is that the World War II, the price was enormous, but the Soviet Union emerged as a great victor and captured half of Europe. 1991. in terms of the lives lost at that point, the price was actually very, very low.

But for Putin, what was important that the state was lost, and he in particular was concerned about the division of the Russian people, which he understood back then, like he understands now, in very, very broad terms. So for him, the biggest tragedy is not the loss of life. the biggest tragedy is the loss of the great power status or the unity of those whom he considered to be Russian nations.

But for Putin, what was important that the state was lost, and he in particular was concerned about the division of the Russian people, which he understood back then, like he understands now, in very, very broad terms. So for him, the biggest tragedy is not the loss of life. the biggest tragedy is the loss of the great power status or the unity of those whom he considered to be Russian nations.

But for Putin, what was important that the state was lost, and he in particular was concerned about the division of the Russian people, which he understood back then, like he understands now, in very, very broad terms. So for him, the biggest tragedy is not the loss of life. the biggest tragedy is the loss of the great power status or the unity of those whom he considered to be Russian nations.

So at least this is my reading, this is my understanding of what is there, what is on the paper and what is between the lines.