Living dangerously in Russia's backyard

From the Baltics to countries in Central Asia, the war in Ukraine is a reminder of their precarious position amid questions about how far Putin will go in pursuit of his revanchist dreams.

Raffaello Pantucci

For The Straits Times

Russian troops stand guard at the entrance to the village of Varnita, in Transnistria, a breakaway region in eastern Moldova, on March 4, 2022. PHOTO: NYTIMES

Updated

Published

Apr 30, 2022, 05:00 AM

There are many unanswered questions to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Key among them is whether Ukraine is the extent of President Vladimir Putin's ambitions, or part of a longer and more ambitious path towards European dominance.

Or, placing this within a wider context, is Russian activity abroad all about meddling for the sake of continued relevance or aimed at some actual imperial gain.

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