I really hate to say this but frankly the Russians WON a huge tactical victory here. Before 8/8/08 the Russians were not in control of a vital land route to the Middle East. With the signing of this so called truce they now have legitimate reason to station troops at the end that is on Georgian territory. By feigning an assault of the whole of Georgia the Russians showed their mastery of more than chess by choosing a year in which a President was a lame duck and coincidentally had the Olympics as a distraction. The West caved at the potential threat and accepted what would otherwise have been unacceptable. Beware Freedom loving peoples of the Ukraine, Putin smells fear and blood in the uncertainty of the leaders of the west. While we are only now planning our strategy do deal with this new reality the Russians have been planning for some 10 years time. I think I will install a wood burning stove this year...
Putin is also keely aware of the war fatigue taking hold in this country. I think we have to grudgingly concede that his calculations and chess move were effective in this instance and be better prepared for the next. Given what you say in your post, it might not be that far away.