The Russians have apparently decided to refocus their efforts in eastern Ukraine, where they have had more success. Some commentators have gone so far as to suggest that the original drive on Kyiv was just a feint, which is both logically absurd and inconsistent with all of the evidence. What should we think of Plan B?
Putin could have annexed most of this property years ago. He didn’t, because he wanted it to stay as a Trojan horse within the Ukrainian state, and because it is an economically depressed area with minimal value to Russia. Even if he prevails and cuts off eastern Ukraine, it will not be much of a consolation prize; as a result of his impatience, the rest of Ukraine will never be his unless he somehow finds the resources to occupy it over fierce, ongoing native resistance. He can no longer have any illusions about that.