Last year, the United States had everything to gain: It was emerging from COVID with a strong economy. Oil and gas prices were low, employment was high, and there was no inflation. Meanwhile, Russia has been suffering from plunging energy revenues, a faltering economy, and a widespread coronavirus outbreak with no effective vaccine or treatment in sight.
How could things go wrong so quickly and so quickly?
But how things have changed in just one year! Upon taking office, President Biden reversed the course of President Trump’s policies, getting rid of all America’s trump cards. Today their economy is faltering, inflation is at an all-time high, they are again importing expensive oil, and President Biden is seen as weak, incompetent and unpopular.
Vladimir Putin has spent the past year seizing this unexpected opportunity. Now he is ready to make his decades-old goal a reality: to restore the Russian Empire. Ultimately, Putin wants to return Ukraine to Moscow’s historic control. At the very least, it will prevent Ukraine from deepening economic ties with the West and joining NATO, believing that Ukraine will eventually fall into their hands.
Ethan Walker writes for News Collective, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, reliable reporting and useful information, helping readers stay informed about current events, emerging trends, and stories that matter.