Victory in Ukraine will dramatically strengthen Putin's military machine, — the Atlantic Council.

Analysts believe that the argument that Putin will not dare to go further if he achieves victory in Ukraine is dangerously short-sighted. A Russian victory over Ukraine would transform the geopolitical situation, significantly strengthening Russia in military, economic, and strategic terms, and at the same time seriously weakening the West.

The Russian army clearly did not live up to its inflated pre-war reputation in Ukraine, but it would be unwise to underestimate Moscow's military potential. Putin's command has learned a number of important lessons since the invasion began in February 2022 and has gained combat experience that no other major power can match. A victory in Ukraine will further widen the already alarming gap in military capabilities between Moscow and the West, which is rearming very slowly.

"The Russian and Ukrainian armies are by far the largest and most formidable military forces in Europe. If Putin wins in Ukraine, he will control them both. Russia will quickly conscript hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians into military service, just as it has already done in the occupied territories of Ukraine. In addition to a significant increase in manpower, the Russian Federation will also acquire large stocks of military equipment provided by the West," the article notes.

Control over Ukraine would allow the Russian Federation to reintegrate the huge Ukrainian military-industrial complex. During most of the Soviet era, Ukraine produced a significant portion of the USSR's missiles, tanks, aircraft, and warships. If Russia seizes and revives military production in Ukraine, this will solve many of the Kremlin's sanctions problems.

Economically, the conquest of Ukraine would significantly improve the financial situation of the Russian Federation and strengthen its ability to influence world politics. The Kremlin would receive Ukraine's vast untapped energy reserves, as well as potentially trillions in mineral assets. Additionally, the famous Ukrainian granary would allow Russia to establish itself as a dominant force in international agricultural markets almost overnight, the Atlantic Council notes.

"If the Russian Federation expands the war further, Western leaders will not be able to say that they were not warned. Putin has prepared the entire Russian society for war and is openly preparing the entire country for a long struggle against the West. The current invasion is an important part of this fight, but it is only the beginning. Russia's victory in Ukraine will create the basis for even bolder acts of international aggression," the experts conclude.