[worth]

No kidding there. If it works flawlessly with Ukraine, why wouldn't Putin do it to other surrounding areas of strategic importance to grow his sphere of influence. Especially if it goes unchecked by NATO.

I think a lot of this hinges on whether Ukraine can actually form a cohesive unified government backed by the majority of their population. The west could not deploy troops without having the backing of the unified population and government. NATO will not go into Ukraine unless legitimately invited.

How would western troops be welcomed in Kyiv? How about in Odesa? Likely poorly in Kharkiv.

At this point in time, if Russia does plan to annex Crimea, there is not much anyone can do about it, unless the Ukrainians want to go to war over it. Stop the blood loss without looking like a sissy, there needs to be a hard line so the Russians second guess themselves in the future.