I don't disagree, the Eastern Ukraine is basically theirs for the taking if they want to pursue that option.
While they could do it, there are a lot of downsides. Putin isn't really holding the strong hand he projects. It only looks that way because the US has an idiot for President and the West in general is weak.
it was suggested that Russia be cut off from all banking services (no credit card/paypal/check clearing). I supposed they would just use Serbian Cypriot or Chinese banks.