Editor’s Note:

Now that everyone has studied Putin’s 7,000-word discourse on Russia-Ukraine relations….Don’t worry, no snap quiz this Friday morning! But, in light of the US and Germany greenlighting Nord Stream 2 relying – partly — on Russia goodwill toward Ukraine, I offer this anthology of analysis.

The headlines capture the flavor:

1. Tara Kuzio, the National Interest: “Why Russia and Ukraine are Likely Headed for War”
2. Anders Aslund, Project Syndicate: “Putin’s Denial of Ukrainian Independence Could Lead to War”
3. Walter Russell Mead, The Wall Street Journal: “Why Putin Still Covets Ukraine”
4. Peter Dickinson, Atlantic Council: “Putin’s New Ukraine Essay Reflects Imperial Ambitions.”
5. Pavel K Baev, Jamestown: “Putin’s Fixation on Ukraine is Demagogic, Delusional and Dangerous.”
6. Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg Opinion: “Why Ukraine Lives Rent-Free in Putin’s Head”
7. Alexei Bayer, Kyiv Post: “Putin’s Useless History Lesson.”
8. Robert Homans, BNE Intellinews: “Putin’s Epistle to the Ukrainians.”

Happy weekend reading! With Best Regards, Jim Brooke