re: How is this different than a state leaving the US.

Ok, sorry for assuming you hadn’t.

Ukraine and Russia were even rivals under the USSR. That’s why Vlad wanted Crimea so much (yes and huge strategic value too). Russia was in first, but when Ukraine joined up, the commies gave Crimea to Ukraine as a door prize. This pissed off a bunch of Russians.

I hate to say it this way, but if this campaign gets drawn out, it might be Putin’s downfall and that would be good for the world.

Poor people in Ukraine, though. Should have never come to this.