[Mick]

I know folks are concerned that Russia has taken 20% of Ukraine's territory and that Ukraine may be unable to sustain itself as an independent nation without that land.  What if the bigger issue is the depletion of its population through the loss of life in the conflict, through emigration to Europe, and through "deportation" into Russia?  Would a negotiated resolution include a means for Ukraine to repatriate some of the thousands of people whom Russia "deported" to Russia?  If so, that seems like an important factor to consider.

I think that's the bigger issue, particularly given Russia's demographic meltdown. This is by Putin's own admission. He keeps the Ukrainian population to repopulate his country, said population of which has been on the decline since 1992. They fell below the 2.1 child "replacement rate" in the mid-1980s. 





https://www.ft.com/content/8c576a9c-ba65...4fa5457c62

[Mick]

I know folks are concerned that Russia has taken 20% of Ukraine's territory and that Ukraine may be unable to sustain itself as an independent nation without that land.  What if the bigger issue is the depletion of its population through the loss of life in the conflict, through emigration to Europe, and through "deportation" into Russia?  Would a negotiated resolution include a means for Ukraine to repatriate some of the thousands of people whom Russia "deported" to Russia?  If so, that seems like an important factor to consider.

I think that's the bigger issue, particularly given Russia's demographic meltdown. This is by Putin's own admission. He keeps the Ukrainian population to repopulate his country, said population of which has been on the decline since 1992. They fell below the 2.1 child "replacement rate" in the mid-1980s. 





https://www.ft.com/content/8c576a9c-ba65...4fa5457c62