Russia’s GDP is USD 4,700,000 million and Ukraine’s USD 390,000 million, both data as of 2018 according to World Bank. The former, has a population of 145 million and, the latter, 42 million. With unification, GDP would go to USD 5,090 billion and population to 187 million. This means that Ukraine could see, due to its high relative population, a 9-fold increase in its purchasing power, with the eventual “merger by absorption” (hostile), while Russia would sacrifice 11% of its GDP, due to the “expense” of maintaining the new province. The “savings” in tolls, for gas and oil pipelines, are insignificant, given the numbers. Of course, these effects are not immediate and could take years to execute, unlike the two Germanys, as this was a “peaceful” event. So what does Russia gain from the invasion? Access to Europe (expansion of its energy market, at the expense of the United States), to the Black Sea (and the Mediterranean, through the Bosphorus) and not to depend on Nordstream 2 for the sale of gas to Europe. What would Russia lose? The world’s respect, except that of its own country – something Putin does not seem to care about – and it would undoubtedly face economic sanctions from Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom, with Bitcoin (a substitute for the Euro and the Dollar for the sale of Gas and Oil) being the big winner. Russia’s ally? China, who may “embolden” and do the same with Taiwan. Given this situation, the world geopolitical and economic map changes radically, with the eventual invasion. The possible diplomatic (peaceful) solution? Voluntary annexation of Ukraine to Russia, which would have to happen between now and tomorrow. Probability of annexation happening? Very low. The war event seems imminent.
Russia moves to recognize Crypto as a form of currency

21 Feb