Putin claims that the main goal is to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine, especially those living in Donetsk or Luhansk (self-proclaimed republics), which were separated from Ukrainian control in 2014.
It was called "de-Nazification" by him, something political experts consider code for a false story Mr. Putin is trying to tell about Ukrainian legislators as manikins of Western Europe.
This is similar to how certain patriots supported Nazi Germany during The Second Great War.
Moscow has not claimed that Ukraine is trying to coercively take back the region or that it is indebted or coercive.
The Ukrainian chief is Jewish and claims that 8,000,000 Ukrainians died in the Second Great War.
His granddad also served as a Soviet official during this contention.
Fundamentally, Putin views Russia and Ukraine as one entity, "one individual, a solitary whole," and regards its nearer reconciliation and especially its goal to join NATO (the North Atlantic Deal Association) with deep doubt.
Before the end of the Virus Battle in 1991 and its collapse, Ukraine was an important part of the Soviet Association. Russia's monetary power and esteem suffered greatly after that.
The Ukrainians have become more proficient in speaking their native language and are now stronger in joining the EU.
Surveys before 2014 showed that there was a broadly even split of support among the population for the EU or the Moscow-drove monetary alliance. A November review showed that 58% of respondents favored the EU and 21% favored Russia's joining.
Russia's new tactical mission is the continuation of an approach by Mr. Putin that saw him consistently grow Russia's authority and reaffirm Moscow's control over former Soviet republics such as Georgia, Belarus, and Moldova.
The western flank of Russia, where Ukraine is located, has made it relatively defenseless against attack.