Ultimately they likely won’t. Effectively though they may just stop for awhile. There are parallels to Nazi occupation of the Rhineland- a WW2 precursor or instigator. Russia is surely aware of history. This actually serves them- we also know and European and world powers want to avoid a full scale European or world war. If all we do is toss sanctions and supply arms and training, and Russia wins- it means little. The sanctions soften as other nations seek the advantage of trade with a massive nation and the EU feels the sting from lack of Russian fuel and trade. The spoils are kept indefinitely though. If Russia “wins” they’ll likely need time to secure the regions and they’ll likely build and refresh their forces and maybe take a breather to “bask” before they do it again where and when they think they can get away with it. So it’s probably less a matter of “stop” and more if they’ll “pause.”
… or not. It’s tough to say. They’ll probably push as far as they think they can without triggering the conditions to start a totally European or world conflict… unless they think they can come out on top of such a conflict. I believe the current signs point to them not thinking that though. Their actions imply they are just opportunistic predators looking to take what they can without putting themselves in real danger while cautiously working to long term plans that avoid a total conflict until at least they have sufficiently prepared and conditions favor them.
It doesn't matter who has been around longer or even who is right or wrong.
Putin wants Ukraine. Ukraine doesn't want Putin. If neither side backs down it will come to blows.
Kievan Rus': –_–
Putin wants Ukraine. Ukraine doesn't want Putin. If neither side backs down it will come to blows.