@eisai @11112011 @Grandtheftautism @Senator_Armstrong @animeirl @dicey @icedquinn @p
There's a lot to unpack here.

First of all I share the (functional) frustration with short posts. I do things my way and accept a kick in the balls from disappointing respondents. It's my way usually - but I have no answers.

Secondly you didn't have to apologize for referring to 2008 as the source of events. Most think that and I even I did, which resulted in my erroneous analysis of Putin's motives. Apologies accepted.

Now the strategic gamble by Putin you addressed, citing aforementioned book by Burns, is mighty interesting.

If I understood you correctly, Russia provided a corridor via central Asia for the US/NATO despite internal opposition. US didn't accept that as a payment and rejected the desired (by Russia) cooperation nevertheless.

Putin also hoped for the stoppage of NATO expansion to the Baltic. Upon further research Putin also hoped to find the NATO as an ally against the Chechens back in the day. This explains it.

Illuminating feedback from your end once again.

When it comes to sources (I'd rather end this long post now), I adopted a style where I cite the crucial sentences, and then post the link so they can find out I didn't make it up. But true, most don't give a damn for some reason.