Putin takes the position that Ukraine has no right to exist as a separate nation due to its ethnic and cultural ties to Russia. The vast majority of Ukrainians, of course, beg to differ.
As a result, the Russian military is being ordered to kill their relatives. It sounds a bit like a domestic dispute involving a guy who would rather kill his girlfriend than let anyone else have her. How inspiring a cause is that? Based on the state of affairs on the ground, not very.
NOTE TO MY READERS: I will be on vacation for the next week. Postings will be sporadic at best until 3/15.