Interesting stuff and I agree. In fact I more than agree, I believe it already happened in 1991 ;)

We can view the war as imperialist ambitions by Putin. And he has pretty much said so himself. However, standing back, we have to ask if it's more of a war of frustration that the Russian Federation is losing power (which it has since 1991). And Putin has spoke about that too.

It's very difficult for small countries with limited natural resources to go it alone. Putin wouldn't have survived for so long if he didn't provide value to all the regions in Russia. His gambit has failed. Although they may want to get rid of him, they don't have a good alternative as of yet. "Democracy" or capitalism doesn't provide a high standard of living on their own, to small countries.

Or put it this way, Russian regions look at Lebanon, Sri Lanka and even Pakistan and think, "There but for the grace of God (Putin?) I go."

If the West won't help those regions, why would it help those in Russia?