...they would have done it already and took the diplomatic hit in the chin only once.
Why invade more and risk even more diplomatic troubles? They could have easily plowed into Kiev to "restore the legitimate government from the coup" and be done with it.
Instead, they just yanked Crimea...an area that has been traditionally part of Russia when it was conquered from the Tatar Khanate. It only became part of Ukraine due to Khrushchev giving it to Ukraine (what some call his "adopted country"
...and one could even argue the legality of that.
Russia needs Crimea for the same reason the Russian Empire needed it. A warm water port to do trade (and in this case oil and gas). Give it 10 years time, Ukraine and Europe will recognize the area as Russian territory in some part of economic trade package (Russia did take Crimea without bloodshed...what does it say when their troops can just walk in and establish control and Ukrainian troops didn't mount so much as a stand off other than in their bases). The current acting Prime Minister of Ukraine has already acknowledged that they still need to do business with Russia...as soon as elections are held, Russia will probably recognize the new government. Right now, its plays into their favor not to.
Estonia is just posturing and ratcheting up the rhetoric for appearances. Yes there are Russian troops on the border...probably due to NATO having a bit of a buildup in Poland...tit for tat.
In the end, Ukraine will have its wish to warm up to the EU, it will only cost them Crimea, which I wonder if the populace thinks is an acceptable price. The USA is just going to have to bite the bullet and realize there is going to be more competition than they like to sell energy in Europe. Putin placed himself exactly where the US wanted him. No political saving face way out.
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