I looked at comment #23 about the importance of Crimea for Ukrainian success. THen at several other videos found at lists of other articles, A 36 minute discussion hosted by UK Times was especially interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJsbs_7lW0
Two men who worked in Europe when the Berlin wall fell, the Soviet Union collapsed, and Putin became an important factor discuss these historical changes. They also look at the reasons for failure of Gorbachev’s and Yeltsin’s efforts to change toward a more modern, democratic state. Gorbachev among other things tried to ban or limit Vodka which made him especially unpopular. THis at a time when Russian men were dying in their late 50s of alcoholism. They also refer to some of the earlier events in Russia and Europe which have molded the current Russian attitudes and those of Putin especially.
If you don’t want to watch the whole 36 minute discussion, skip to the last 5 minutes. Hear these two men predict the end of Russia, one within the next 20 years, the other in around 50 years, and the possible impact of China on this process. The impact of all this Russian history and the consequences for Ukraine events is covered earlier in the discussion. A very interesting and informative discussion, with new information for me.
“... if Russia does not make it to Warsaw and the Danube in the next 15 years it will fall ...”