Interesting. And opens more questions than it answers. But I guess that defines European history in general. Every time you think you understand, there's another layer of history that disrupts your view. I still hold the view that trying to redraw borders is bloody stupid (and always very bloody).
Odd that it's Archangel you were replying to. Or perhaps Archangel was being ironic.

I certainly hope his "kick in the door" was metaphorical, but IMO it's Russia's business whether Putin stays and from everything I've read he is the head of an ex-USSR corrupt elite.
Russia will continue to decline. Autocracy/kleptocracy and lack of democracy always ends in failure.