[reitanqild]

Good points.

But isn't the real threat against Putin that the ideas of democracy spread via word of mouth?

I think problem with Ukraine is that Ukrainians and Russians have close ties and if Ukraine succeeds in becoming a western country their relatives in Russia will want to do so to.

[hef19898]

That sure plays a role. Not that this word of mouth spreading of democracy worked out so well lately. But yeah, if I were Putin I would prefer a war in Ukraine over a potential civil war over my rule in Russia any day of the week.

One cannot ignore the Orange Revolution in Ukraine in this whole mess so.