"One Western diplomat called Putin an "arsonist pouring gasoline to light fires everywhere." This is a "Russian conflict, not a Ukrainian conflict," he said, noting that the conflict's silver lining has been a surge in Ukrainian nationalism throughout this country of 45 million, even among those whose first language is Russian. Putin's goal in the Ukraine, another diplomat said, is to keep the government "off-balance" to maximize Russian control. Another argued that Putin now sought the destruction of Ukraine's government. "He's like a spurned lover. If he can't have Ukraine, no one else will, either." Still another predicted that despite a third round of European and American economic sanctions that have targeted Russian oligarchs as well as the nation's defense, financial, and oil and gas sectors, causing $100 billion in capital outflow and a plunge in the value of the ruble, Putin would try to seize more Ukrainian territory, either directly or through its pro-Russian separatists, if the opportunity arose. "I don't think he's done yet," said Pierre Lellouche, a member of the French parliament's foreign affairs committee."
