Putin and his ilk are not our allies, they will go along with us only when it aligns with their plans (not very often) and oppose us when it does not (most of the time).
Georgia on the other hand has been unwaivering when they did not have to be, and when in fact, as it is now showing, when it was risky for them to be.
You do not return that type of support and friendship with a back hand or a tossing under the bus.
Besides, the broader implications of this Sudetenland gambit are much more serious than the local seperatist conflict. We can not embolden the likes of Putin and his ilk in the least, and more than we can Iran...and in fact, IMHO, even less. This one is even more serious...and Putin knows it and it is why he is acting now on the eve of Bush's admin, close to an election, and during the Olympics.
Bush and the Israelis could use some slack from the Russians in the event of an attack on Iran. Watch the muted language that comes out of the White House. We will call for talks, but will not deploy forces or use any threats of sanctions against anyone.