Russia’s Purposes in Its War with Ukraine: From a Regime Change, Conquest, to Territorial Consolidation

This paper investigates the endeavors to solve Donbas Conflict typologically. The first and most consistent policy was Minsk Accord belonging category of federalization. As has been case with other post-Soviet secession conflicts, federalization a hopeless policy, which produced serious commitment problems, while contradicting real interests both parent state (Ukraine) polities (the DPR LPR). In context War none proposed second type solution, that is, land-for-peace. Ineffective diplomatic induced Ukraine, Russia, DPR/LPR situation in military way. Azerbaijan’s victory Second Karabakh 2020 disposed Ukraine for coercive solution problem reconquest policy). Russian political leadership split into two groups: one supporting make LPR) Russia’s protectorates another destroy (Ukraine). unsatisfactory results choice 2008 protectorate vis-à-vis South Ossetia Abkhazia underestimation Kyiv’s defense capacity made leaders opt destruction itself.