Disagree re Ukraine. Annexation of Crimea was a done, but not accepted, deal under Obama. Eastern Ukraine is no where near annexed as of yet, and direct Russian escalation was paused by the sanctions. In my view, Putin has been encouraged by Trump's public words, and possibly even more so by his private words, to believe he can separate the sanctions and intrusion into east Ukraine in Trump's mind, and thus push for removal of sanctions while reengaging more overtly towards control of eastern Ukraine.

Putin's larger goal is not the acquisition of land but rather the destabilization of Ukraine to prevent it at all costs from falling into the western sphere of influence. Putin was content to leave Ukraine whole, respecting Russian treaty obligations, as long as he had his man in charge in Kiev. Recall, Marty, that it was the Ukrainian peoples rejection of their governments turning away from the EU that initiated the recent string of crises there. 

Total agreement re current ME borders.