Notwithstanding Putin’s laments for the demise of the USSR, there is good reason to believe that his ultimate objective is actually to reassemble the Russian Empire, as it existed in 1914. His military escapades in Georgia and Ukraine are consistent with this notion, as is his obnoxious rhetoric about the relationship between Russia and Ukraine. But what does this mean for Poland? After all, most of it was included in the Russian Empire after the late 18th century.
Poland has no cultural affinity with Russia. There are no ethnic Russians living there. The predominant religion is Catholicism, not Russian Orthodox. The alphabet is different, and the languages are completely dissimilar. It would be hard to make a case for Russia trying to retake it, even leaving aside its membership in NATO.
And yet, one cannot be sure. The Poles have good reason to be worried that Ukraine would not be the last bite of the apple if my guess about Putin’s ambitions is correct.