Online Public Relations Thoughts

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been building his case for an invasion of Ukraine.  He states his country has "every right" to "react harshly to unfriendly steps" by Europe and the US.  Putin is communicating to his constituency as much as he is putting the West on guard.  Should he decide to cross the border and subjugate Ukraine, he will need support at home to offset sanctions that will inevitably come.  So, he appeals to Russia's safety as his excuse for the buildup of troops and weapons of war along Ukraine's border.  One might call this a manufactured crisis, but Putin apparently doesn't see it that way.  He wants to return Russia to the strength it had as the Soviet Union when it could dictate a position in world affairs.  The course he is taking is risky and his statements might be over the top, but the world at least is taking his communications seriously.  That's what he wants.