I have no beliefs about Putin's intents. I don't know his intents, and neither does anyone except Putin himself. It would seem prudent to prepare for every possibility which might improve the security, prestige or progress of Russia, but since it is Putin's views of those things which matter, "we" should prepare for anything.
Honestly, whats the difference??
Well, all the Ukrainian emigrees I've met are nice people, but all the Sith Efrican emigrees have been @ssholes....but that's just me. Do emigrees bring their prejudices with them, or leave them in their country of birth - they aren't all the same.