ok, let's just be clear that the rhetoric coming out of moscow and crimea and eastern ukraine is that putin is pledging support should the local governments request aid in putting down supremacist movements. they're talking about sending "peacekeeping troops", not invading and annexing the region.

yes, "peacekeeping" means "protecting strategic interests". regardless, this is all centered around the invitation. that's an extremely important point that the western media is completely misreporting in it's "putin to invade ukraine" headlines.

that doesn't negate anything i said. it was meant in that context, because "peacekeeping" means "occupying". but it's imperative that it's specified properly.