in terms of easy military victories - the quick wins that bolster his deteriorating popularity with the Russians - Putin would have probably been better off invading Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, but these are of less strategic importance in terms of Russia versus NATO, and also I just don't think Putin is that interested in the culturally different 'Asian' countries that used to be part of the USSR.

anyway, with him lending a hand in crushing the revolution in Kazakhstan earlier this year, Putin already has the Kazakhstan government in his pocket anyway. clear sign, not just Belarus but also Kazakhstan proposed to be a mediator for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine



damn there's a shitload of countries in that region lol