a lot of fans Russian out of the stadium

Indeed.
My first though on hearing the word sanctions was 'Where do we get most of our oil and gas from again'.

Got to have grudging admiration for his political abilities, to have survived this long in that snake-pit. But you're right he can't go on forever.
I think a lot of the issues in Ukraine are economic rather than ethnic. The economic elements apply to Russia too - perhaps even more so. The oil and gas cash, takes the edge off a bit, but the corruption and wealth disparities are taking a toll on national morale there, I'm sure.

These post-imperial societies, with exaggerated conceptions of their residual potency and huge and growing gaps between their rich and poor - what are they like, eh?

That's why I love living in the United Ki..........Oh wait

Putin's just another Russian president, they'll be another one just like him in waiting, if that's what they want for the next 10 years. For Putin it's a perfect time to adopt such a pro Russian nationalistic policy. Following the successful Winter Olympics both on and off the slopes, Russian patriotism will be sky high. No better time to spin some pro Russian propaganda about the west interfering and militia coup in Ukraine. We must protect fellow Russians/speakers. Mobilise the troops. Parliament agree. Pro demonstrations follow and anti establishments like 'Pussy Riot' are quashed/silenced. For now, locals probably aren't paying attention to their domestic financial meltdown resulting from their recent foreign affair policies. Instead national pride with an overtone of propaganda is probably blinding them as normal. Hail Vladamir

Putin is a special case, Or so it seems. I mean look at [url=http://www.funnyordie.com/slideshows/7df05c1f10/pictures-of-vladimir-putin-looking-like-a-complete-badassThis.[/url The guy is a nutter (I imagine former KGB agents are).

Russia seemed to be moving away from being insular until Putin got in 1999- present day(If we ignore the puppet in the middle of his 2 times in office.) now it's back to undercover ,smoke and mirrors and aggressive foreign policy again I can't imagine the two are not connected.