Chap asks me, “Why do you think Putin lusts after Ukraine?”

So, I do some research and here is what I come up with.

Ukrainian land mass and location

Ukraine is an enormous land mass and its addition to the Russian Putin Empire would be an gigantic coup in terms of land mass and pushing the Russian boundary westward thereby foiling the eastward march of NATO and exposing American weakness.

The country possesses huge mineral and energy reserves, agricultural, and industrial power.

Ukraine overlaid on Europe

Ukrainian mineral wealth

Ukraine is a wealthy country from the perspective of minerals and energy based on provable reserves.

 1. Uranium – largest proven recoverable reserves in Europe

 2. Titanium – 2nd in Europe, 10th in the world

 3. Manganese – 2nd in the world as to explored reserves with more than 12% of the world’s reserves

 4. Iron – 2nd in the world

 5.  Mercury – 2nd in Europe

 6. Shale gas – 3rd in Europe, 13th in the world

 7. Total value of natural resources – 4th in the world

 8. Coal – 7th in the world

 9. Crude oil – 51st in the world at 395,000,000 bbl, 4X national consumption

Ukraine is a huge bonanza of mineral wealth.

Agricultural production

Ukraine, with its population of 44,000,000, is a bread basket country of huge production capable of feeding more than 600,000,000 consumers.

 1. Tillable soil — Ukraine has the most arable land of any country in Europe.

 2. Black soil – 3rd in the world with more than 25% of the most productive land in the world

 3. Sunflowers, sunflower oil — 1st in the world

 4. Barley – 2nd largest producer in the world, 4th in global barley export

 5. Corn – 3rd largest grower in the world, 4th largest exporter

 6. Potatoes – 4th largest producer in the world

 7. Rye – 1st largest grower in the world

 8. Bee honey production – 5th largest in the world

 9. Wheat – 8th largest grower in the world in exports

 10.  Chicken eggs – 9th largest producer in the world

 11. Cheese — 16th largest exporter of cheese in the world

As noted, Ukraine — 44MM population — can support 600,000,000 hungry mouths with its agricultural production.

Ukrainian industry

In addition to being blessed with enormous natural resources and agricultural production, Ukraine is a manufacturing power.

 1. Ammonia production – 1st in Europe

 2. Energy distribution by pipeline – 2nd in Europe, 4th largest natural gas pipeline system in the world, huge supplier of natural gas to Europe

 3. Nuclear power generation, domestic – 3rd in Europe, 8th in the world

 4.Railway miles – 3rd in Europe, 11th in the world

 5. Locator and global positioning equipment – 3rd largest manufacturer and exporter in the world

 6. Refined iron export – 3rd in the world

 7. Nuclear powerplant turbines – 4th largest exporter in the world

 8. Rocket launchers – 4th largest exporter in the world

 9. Clay pottery, goods – 4th largest manufacturer and exporter in the world

 10. Titanium products – 4th largest exporter in the world

 11. All refined ores and concentrates — 8th largest exporter in the world

 12. General defense industry products – 9th largest exporter in the world

 13. Steel production — 10th largest in the world

So, why does Putin the Thug lust after Ukraine? Why is he going to rape it?

Asked and answered. God bless Ukraine. God bless all free people standing against naked aggression in the year 2022.

But, hey, what the Hell do I really know anyway? I’m just a Big Red Car.