Given the unstable situation in Ukraine, I can well understand Putin's desire
to secure Russia's bases and interests in the Crimea.
The instability in Ukraine is now directly linked to Putin's adventure in Crimea. I'm reminded of a documentary I watched recently on Afghanistan, where a squaddie who's job it was to patrol a stretch of road said: "We patrol this road to prevent the Taliban from blowing it up, but the only reason they blow it up is because we are patrolling it." Classic 'chicken and egg'.
...and I think he'll have more success than, say, a couple of western powers
trying to secure Suez!!
It was 3 western powers - UK, France, and Israel. And, in fact, militarily they succeeded in securing the Suez but were forced to back down under immense political and economic pressure from the US. A lesson for Crimea certainly, but probably not in the manner you were thinking kintyred.