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Putin’s goal in Ukraine is a swift win and a pro-Moscow buffer state: analysts
- The Russian president is not looking to occupy its neighbour for the long term, observers say
- He could be aiming to ‘take over key government agencies within several days or week’
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Russia is looking for a swift victory to create a buffer state and a pro-Moscow government in Ukraine rather than occupy the country long term, diplomatic observers said.
Russian missiles and shelling began raining down on Ukrainian cities on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin unleashed a full-scale ground and air assault on Ukraine. On Friday, the first Russian units entered the capital Kyiv.
Moscow’s defence ministry said its forces “successfully completed” their objectives for the first day of its operation, claiming to have destroyed more than 70 Ukrainian targets, including 11 airfields.
Danil Bochkov, a fellow from the Russian International Affairs Council, said Russian President Vladimir Putin was looking to change the ruling regime of Ukraine to one that was pro-Moscow. Russia’s action would be swift, as was the case with its 12-day war with Georgia in 2008 and its month-long operation in Crimea in 2014.
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“I guess that Moscow bets on … claiming the control over the key government agencies within several days or week,” he said.
Some elections could be expected afterwards, provided the new regime agreed to Russia-friendly policies and to not join Nato, he added.
The US and its allies have condemned Russia and promised to impose sanctions against the country. But China, seen as a quasi-ally of Moscow, has held back from calling Russia’s attack on Ukraine an invasion.
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