Russia can carry out an open military invasion of Ukraine in case of total impoverishment of the Russian people, Russian military journalist Arkady Babchenko believes.
"I think that Russia will still invade Ukraine, but not now. That's when it comes to the real impoverishment of the Russian people and oil-for-food programs, then the war will definitely be needed, and Ukraine is an obvious goal, "Babchenko said in an interview with NV.
At the same time, he does not believe that the Russian-Belarusian exercise of the West-2017, which will be held in September, may lead to attempts by the Russian army to invade Ukraine from Belarus. The authorities of Ukraine repeatedly warned of this possibility.
"(It will not be) ... if only because such an invasion would automatically entail a full-scale war. And why is it today for Russia and Vladimir Putin? Everything just calmed down and predictably. There is no motive, "Babchenko.