Yep, Keenan had it right. At its borders, Russia can have only vassals or enemies.
Does not speak highly of their culture, now does it?

And by the way, enemies have a higher survival rate than do vassals.

When Russia has nothing but enemies that it cannot turn into vassals, Russia will be able to join the ranks of self-respecting nations.

So, we keep Putin from being able to do it to any more of his neighbors. Then the Georgian insurgency kicks some behind, then the internal vassals start behaving properly
and the impossible happens.

Our problem? Not them. Our own bozos who think spreading American culture is a no-no.