Wow thanks for the detailed reply - I am glad he said no to Syria as well - The thing about being seen to be a strong leader is not to be so unwise about making such statements and then backing down. I am sure Putin sees Obama as weak because of this and takes that into account when dealing with him. I am also sure that Putin has seen that the Obama administration is happy to stir things up in areas and provide weapons etc to “rebels”. So Putin must be wondering if the populist overthrow in Ukraine was USA or EU inspired rather than a spontaneous uprising - like you said no war happens by accident! I do not know the answers to these things but just trying to see the thinking from both sides!
~Wow thanks for the detailed reply - I am glad he said no to Syria as well - The thing about being seen to be a strong leader is not to be so unwise about making such statements and then backing down. I am sure Putin sees Obama as weak because of this and takes that into account when dealing with him. I am also sure that Putin has seen that the Obama administration is happy to stir things up in areas and provide weapons etc to “rebels”. So Putin must be wondering if the populist overthrow in Ukraine was USA or EU inspired rather than a spontaneous uprising - like you said no war happens by accident! I do not know the answers to these things but just trying to see the thinking from both sides!~
Nobody knows for sure. On the other hand I still point at Finland as an example. It is a perfect example of a former Russian subject which is an independent free nation and Russians are allowing them to live peacefully. Maybe Ukraine has to follow it’s model?