Putin's aggression in the Georgian conflict emboldened him to take similar steps in Ukraine. The Neocons and the Ultra-Conservatives on this board will not admit it. Putin got away with it in 2008 and he will get away with it in 2014. Facts are the worst enemy of the Ultras....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo–Georgian_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo–Georgian_War