Russia invades Ukraine -- The regional situation

[CaveMike]

@Frodo

@Tamerlane

It isn’t pride, Russia needs Crimea in a way they really don’t need the Donbas.

Oh I agree, but that’s an strategic objective, a tactical withdrawal from Crimea may help them win the war eventually and then reclaim it in the negotiations table, after the Ukrainians in turn fail to hold it.
Of course, possession is more than 9/10 of the law in foreign relations, so it could backfire.

I had a question from the news thread, but didn’t want to hijack:

Would it be a viable strategy for Ukraine to only isolate Crimea? Not try to hold it themselves, but prevent Russia from holding it? Or is that not a meaningful distinction from the current situation?