IMHO, Ukraine should be split, with Western Ukraine free to do whatever it wants, i.e., join the EU/NATO. I see that as the best long-term solution. From what I understand, Putin really doesn’t care about the Western part of the Country, it’s more the areas primarily inhabited by Russians in the East.
I think he also sees the eastern part of Ukraine as a bulwark against Islam, too. He doesn’t mind Islamic client states, but he doesn’t want it in his own back yard.
Yeah, as long as he gets what he wants you’ll be happy, right? I mean that’s what America stands for in your mind, caving in to a KGB thug? I bet you hated Reagan.