[cymbeline]

According to the red in that map, Russia now has access to the Black Sea and on to the Mediterranean. Wouldn’t that be a satisfactory outcome for the Russians?

[DannyTN]

They already had access on the eastern side of the black sea.

It was never about sea access. It's about the natural resources in Ukraine that are now valued at #4 in the world.

The oil and gas are direct competition to Russia's oil and gas. The grain is important too. Steel mills, weapon factories, Russia wanted it all.