I think buying the country that grows the food is a lot smarter than buying a sparsely populated, landlocked thugocracy ....scoreboard! Which country do you think will have the more democratic and successful future?
I don't think Putin is looking for world domination but it is very clear he is looking for Russian domination of what once was the Soviet Union. I'm sure he sees the US as a strategic rival but his game isn't really about the US but about building Russia back up to be a world power after the humiliation of the 90's. To do that he needs to do what all Russian leaders have always done, control the neighborhood around Russia to both build up Russian prestige while providing a geographic buffer to potential enemies.
In my limitless imagination, I wouldn't be able to come up with a more ironic, morally bankrupt debate as this one. Opinions ranging: - It's different when we do it - Who cares - It's ok, I love this game - HAHAHA THE LEFTISTS THINK THIS IS WRONG SO WE LAUGH Just excellent guys. Way to feed the stereotype.
Basically.... and as you pointed out it is consistent with Russian history. The real question is how far is the USA and WE willing to let it go.
