So far, nothing has stopped Russia from its latest land-grab. Crimea, a country within a country, now owned by another country has been the first nation to become Russian since other countries left in the 1980's and 1990's.
President Putin denies that he wants to "annex" (read, send in troops to a country that borders Russia in which there are Russian speakers and essentially rig an "election" in your favor) any other nations. This NYT article briefly describes the European reaction.
Poland and Maldova have the most to fear from further Russian intransigence. Poland has a history of being "annexed" and Maldova knows it looks very much like a tasty morsel to Putin's growing appetite. Both countries want assurances that the U.S. and EU will do more than level sanctions at banks individuals. Perhaps it is statement of how far we have come since the Cold War and WWII that there has not been a cataclysmic confligration of military might in the area. Or perhaps it's a statement of just how weary the American public is of wars in far-away places based on remote goings-on. Hopefully for Poland, Putin is digesting nicely instead of licking his chops.
