Memo to Sen. Rand Paul: Ukraine is an independent country, not a Soviet puppet state. The Kentucky conservative firebrand parroted a talking point by Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming that Russia only invades countries once part of the former Soviet Union. “You could argue the countries they’ve attacked were part of Russia,” Paul said on Tuesday in a contentious exchange with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Capitol Hill. “I firmly disagree with that proposition,” Blinken shot back. “It is the fundamental right of those countries to decide their future.” Appearing to give a ration…