Putin has recognized the independence of the DNR and LNR, which means that he betrayed the national interests and the interests of every citizen of Russia in particular. Russia's national interests in the understanding of any sane person - a strong, respected, sovereign state with a high standard of living.
Whether Russia will become stronger after the DNR and LNR recognition or after the invasion of neighbouring Ukraine? It is important to understand what constitutes the power of the realities of the modern world. Times when force determined the amount of military equipment and troop numbers are long gone.
Today a powerful state can be called a state that has a strong economy. The annexation of the Crimean peninsula led to the collapse of the Russian economy for almost ten years, and the recognition of the DNR and LNR with the threat of the outbreak of war in Europe will cost even more.
Stronger Russia certainly will not. Can it become more respectful? Let us not confuse fear with respect. Russia is more likely to be afraid of, but not respected. The Russian authorities are constantly nodding in the direction of the United States - say, if it is possible, and they are too. But the United States did not respect the use of force, because there is where they used force and have just seen tensions.
America got the respect due to its film industry, music, Google, Twitter, iPhone, business opportunities and self-realization. if it strikes fear at the same time in the other states, perhaps, but not to the neighbours. Neither Canada nor Mexico is not going to join the CSTO to protect against America.
Are there such states on the world map that other countries are afraid of and at the same time do not respect? Of course, there is, for example, North Korea. Unfortunately, a similar fate will most likely befall Russian Federation. The Kremlin especially likes to label Ukraine as a puppet of the West, a country without sovereignty.
Russia as a state cannot exist in isolation from the whole world, there are very few of them. 145 million people are negligible for the largest country in the world. Few people dare to invest big money in the development of medicines, equipment or technologies for a small and not very solvent market, and they do not know how.
Suffice it to recall the sensational story of the purchase of Siemens gas turbines in circumvention of sanctions. Why was it necessary to arrange this performance with the purchase through intermediaries, why not organize production ourselves, the answer is obvious - they are not able to produce high-quality gas turbines.
If tomorrow the West decides to block the supply of processors, then in a few years Russia will kneel before the Celestial Empire, otherwise, Russian oil production will collapse. Even such an industry as the automotive industry is lame in Russian Federation and moreover, on both legs.
There is nothing wrong with this, there are many countries in the world that do not produce modern medicines or sophisticated equipment. And it is unlikely that today it will be possible to find a completely self-sufficient state. Even if the US or China decide to close their cordons, in just a few years the standard of living of their citizens will fall several times.
Russia can preserve its sovereignty only through interaction both with the West and with the East. If we want Russia to be a high-tech power with a high standard of living for the population, it is necessary to understand that China is not becoming an assistant to them, but rather a competitor.
Only balancing and building up its own market will allow Russia to remain an independent and sovereign state. Let's remember that Russia has a very promising Ukrainian market nearby. They have a common history, a similar culture and a related language - an additional market for tens of millions of people. Today they have lost it, and if not forever, then for several generations for sure.
The European Union is Russia's largest trading partner, which most likely will begin to break ties, and contracts, and reduce energy dependence. In this case, Russia will be left with a small, unpromising and poor domestic market.
They will be forced to sell their raw materials to China, which is unlikely to pay the full price to a partner that depends on it. China, which surpasses Russia not only in terms of population, but also in terms of economic indicators.
It turns out that Putin's adventure has had the exact opposite effect - countries that previously adhered to a neutral status are now openly declaring their entry into the alliance. Ukraine receives modern weapons from the West, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has already raised the issue of returning Ukraine to the status of a nuclear power. Following Ukraine, a similar thought may visit the President of Kazakhstan.
For the Baltic countries, the issue of strengthening the borders and the army becomes a priority. The state of exaggerated danger, thanks to Putin's actions, has grown into a situation of a real increase in tension along the country's borders. Isn't this a betrayal?
Putin himself knows that he is betraying the country, and therefore he is making great efforts to involve as many people as possible in this adventure of his. Putin betrayed the national interests of Russia in order to strengthen his personal power.
Europe, along with the rest of the world, will not forget the threat of war from Russia, or rather from Putin. As long as Putin rules Russia, only isolation, a low standard of living and the status of an aggressor country will await it.