The question I pose is, does he regard Ukraine as just the first step of the ambition he is reported as having 35 years ago. Back in 1989 when he was KGB chief, I think in either Leipzig or Dresden, he is said to have told his colleagues, before heading back to Moscow, that Russia would be back to take control of Eastern Europe. Can he make Ukraine a stepping stone? I doubt it. For a start, he's getting old.
