When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success. I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do, whether you’re talking about a lease or a treaty. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document.”

Why does that sound actually coherent?

"If it weren’t for me, Russia would have all of Ukraine right now.”

NYT Followed that quote up directly with a photo of a Ukranian soldier in action. gg