Now that the Crimea has been annexed, Russia is considering absorbing the Trans-Dniester Republic (formerly parr of Moldovia). Of course, there is still a considerable Ukrainian territory located between the Crimea and the Trans-Dniester but that territory has already been invaded by Russian troops.
People keep saying that the annexation of the Crimea and the Trans-Dniester are economically unviable for Russia. Both areas are filled with people who adamantly oppose the idea of working and expect to be kept by the federal authorities. This is a very reductive and a hopelessly Marxist analysis. Putin says openly that the annexation of the Crimea represents an opportunity to thwart the US and take revenge for two decades of humiliation at the hands of Americans. This possibility is worth any amount of money to the Russians.

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