Russia's action in Ukraine has the world wondering what Vladimir Putin wants. Former Illinois Representative John Shimkus says that Putin wants to restore the USSR. Lt. Col. Dakota Wood says that Putin wants to return to Tsarist Russia. What is clear is that Putin wants power and sees his actions in Ukraine as a way to destabilize Western Europe.
"An unstable Europe would have a dramatic effect across the world," and would "embolden bad actors like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea," says Lt. Col. Wood.
Both Shimkus and Wood believe that Ukraine will not give up part of their country to Russia. Shimkus and Wood agree that Russia's military might could be too much for the conventional forces of Ukraine to fend off. This could lead to Ukrainian citizens taking up arms and fighting the Russians in the streets. You can find Shimkus' interview here and Lt. Col. Wood's interview here, or in the audio above.
